Russian President Vladimir PutinRussia has placed travel ban on Iran against the backdrop of coronavirus infection, which even Saudi Arabian government earlier accused Iran of spreading in neigbouring countries with impunity.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has bombarded the Boko Haram terrorists’ camp at Alafa ‘C’ in the heart of Sambisa forest in Borno State.
Pope FrancisPope Francis has cancelled all non-essential services at Vatican clinic even as the premises is set to be disinfected as coronavirus made its way into the Vatican, which is home to the Catholic Pontiff.
The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of knowingly spreading COVID-19 Coronavirus to the Kingdom by “irresponsibly” granting Saudi citizens entry to its territories without stamping their passports, especially at a time where there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in Iran.
An official statement from the Kingdom’s ministry of Health today, March 5, said that the five confirmed cases of Saudi nationals testing positive for COVID-19 all returned from Iran via Bahrain and Kuwait without disclosing the fact that they had traveled to Iran to the relevant Saudi authorities.
The statement which stressed that the kingdom strongly denounced Iran’s “irresponsible action,” said that such actions are a proof of Iran’s direct responsibility in increasing COVID-19 infections and in the virus’s outbreak all around the world.
“This behavior poses a serious public health threat to the international community and undermines international efforts to combat COVID-19, putting many communities around the world at risk.”
The Kingdom, in the statement, advised all Saudi citizens who had visited and returned from Iran during the past weeks to immediately report this matter and to contact the health ministry via the toll-free number (937) so that they may be guided through the necessary safety measures.
It also urged citizens who are currently in Iran to immediately report their travel to Iran upon their arrival in the Kingdom.
“Citizens who voluntary report their travel to Iran during a time window of 48 hours following this statement will not be subjected to the Travel Documents Law and its related regulations.”
The statement added that the Kingdom is keen on ensuring the safety of all citizens who had visited Iran by providing them with this opportunity and refraining from any legal action against them.
“Furthermore, the Kingdom is determined to protect the families of those who had traveled to places where there is an outbreak of COVID-19; such measures aim to help protect their wellbeing and the safety of others.”
The Saudi government reaffirmed that Saudi citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason, stressing that serious legal actions will be taken against those who commit this act going forward.
The Kingdom called upon Iranian authorities to disclose the identities of Saudi nationals who had illegally visited Iran since the 1st of February, even as it made it clear that it would hold the Iranian authorities fully responsible for all Saudis who did not report their travels and had gotten infected during their stay in Iran.
It said that the Iranian regime’s continuous withholding of the identity of Saudi nationals who had secretly traveled to Iran and allowing them to do so illegally, threatens public health not only in the Kingdom but on international level as well.
National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has blamed Abuja court that ordered his suspension yesterday, March 4, of turning justice on its head.
He said that apart from the fact that no court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including the high court that suspended him has power to join federal agencies in such matter, the court forgot that he is a national officer of the APC not the ward in his State that purported to have sacked him upon which the court suspended him.
Speaking to news men today, March 5, shortly after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential villa, Abuja, Oshiomhole said: “our lawyers told me that in law, when you sue a federal agency, FCT High Court has no jurisdiction to entertain it. “Number two, the purported suspension of my person by my ward, first I am going to give you a document to that effect so that you can form your opinion.
“Number three, I am not an officer of my ward, I am the national chairman of my party, elected at a national convention by over 7,000 delegates, so how could nine persons sit down somewhere and purport that they have removed a national chairman.
“And the court, contrary to all logic, all judicial precedence find comfort in granting an interim interlocutory order to stop me from functioning pending when the matter is determine?
“In other words, he (the judge) gave the order without the facts being laid before him and in the process adjourned the case to 7th of April.
“The calculations are clear that between now and April 7th, my opponent in the system would have had ample time to do all the mischievous plans they have in place to destabilize the APC. Some APC members have membership of more than one political party.
“But happily this afternoon, a federal high court that I believe that has jurisdictions on federal issues because the DSS, the police are not state institutions but federal institutions, has given an appropriate order to restrain the so called suspension that was allegedly impose on me by my ward in Edo State.
“I thought that I had a duty to brief Mr. President as the overall leader of our party about this development.
“Incidentally, when I requested for the audience yesterday I wasn’t sure what has happened today will happen. But I had a duty to inform him about the court order. But happily before coming here, the order from a Federal High Court that has made nonsense of what the FCT court purported to have done has already settled the question.
“And I showed to the president the resolutions of my ward even though a ward executive does not have the powers to remove a national chairman, just to say that the document that we have says clearly that my ward passed vote of confidence on me.
“How, the court can hold vote of confidence and twist it to mean vote of no confidence, only that judge can explain it to himself.
“But the good news is that this is not a final court nor is it the only court, incidentally it is just the court that didn’t have the jurisdiction even to listen to this matter. And our lawyers so pointed it out but the judge was determined to oblige those who want to destabilize the All Progressives Congress.
“Let me also say that those behind this plot, the hands you saw which includes as you saw yesterday, the Edo State governor and his people jubilating but that is the irony of life, that you will help give birth to a child and the child look for cutlass to want to chop off your neck.
“It has happened in history, it has happened in this country so I won’t be only person. But there are other forces who see me for whatever reason as a threat to them. And those leading this anti-Oshiomhole campaign, some of them I emphasize, cannot even boast of a counselor in their state even as they lay claim to leadership position in our party.
“I am proud to say that I have done my best not only when I was a governor, I have done my best as chairman of this party.
“I have worked not only along members of the party and with support of the good people of Nigeria for the president to be re-elected, for us to have majority in the two chambers of the National Assembly. I also worked hard to deliver my unit, my ward, I worked hard to deliver my local government. I worked hard to deliver my federal constituency three of them in my senatorial zone. I also worked hard to deliver my senator.
“Those (who are) fighting me couldn’t deliver even a counselor of a local government in their units. And they just feel that if they cannot give me orders then they must do everything to embarrass my person, but I believe that he who God stands with no man born of a woman can bring him down.
“I can’t say more than that. Those who are parading themselves, holding meetings at night, my prayer to my God is that let them meet at night, what they do at night will be destroyed by light in the day time. I don’t go for night business I do day business. They know themselves, they know me and I know them.”
On why they want him out, Oshiomhole said: “Why they want me out? You see there is an issue in this country. People want strong leadership, the averaged Nigerian want to have a strong leader for Nigeria, they want to have strong leaders in various institutions, they want institutions that are strong enough that cannot be controlled by individuals.
“That was why President Obama said, what Africa needs are strong institutions not strong persons. Unfortunately, very few section of our elites want to weaken institutions so that they can control and if you refuse to oblige them the misuse of your institution then they go for your jocular, that is the only thing.
“Otherwise I ask you, remember the confusion we had at the last NEC meeting? That meeting took place exactly a week or about 10 days after we had won Kogi election, Bayelsa election before the court took it and donated it to somebody else.
“Yet in the face of this victory, people said Oshiomhole must be removed, precisely because we won more seats.
“But you see whatever you do, those who want to fight you will fight you. But I know that my tenure will be defined by God not by man. And I worry more about what I will be remembered for when I was chairman rather than how long I was chairman.
“And I am convinced that I have done my very best, mistakes would have been made and I want to see the one person who will say he has never made mistakes. But if there are mistakes of the head we have the capacity to correct mistakes of the head.
“But I know I have not set out to make the mistakes of the heart. It is just that by the reason of the position that I occupy, it is not quite appropriate for me to join at this hour in explaining who is responsible for the losses that people point out and they want to heap on my head.
“Even when we have lost some states, I ask you did you see one newspaper that congratulated Oshiomhole when we won in Kogi, Bayelsa before the court took it back?
“But look at the narrative, once it goes the other way, if we succeed it is not me, if we lose it is me. I know even in corporate organizations, we have what we call profit and loss account, you have profit and loss; that is what is called balance sheet.
“If you look at my balance sheet, I know I am not the best chairman in the world but I believe I have given my all even at the expense of my family well being and family life to support my party, to ensure that I work sometimes almost 20 hours a day to ensure that I provide the desired leadership that APC needs.
“And I am proud of the support that I am getting from the ordinary majority of our party and even majority of our leaders of our party.
“It is just unfortunate that if you have out of 100, 90 people are happy with you, will call and say well done, those 10 who are not are the ones that will call press conference to denounce you. They are the ones who will hold midnight meetings in a minister’s house to say how do we bring him down.
“They are the ones who will plot how do we get rid of him because they want to be president in 2023 even when they hold on their state at the moment is doubtful, if they were to go for referendum in terms of their approval rating.
“But as for me, I live my life as the Christians say live it as if they will be no tomorrow, on day by day basis. But God will see me through. He knows my heart, He knows my conscience and He knows the wishes of the overall majority of our members and to them I remain ever grateful.
“For all those who have been worried between yesterday and today, I believe God has answered their prayers, and when God answers the prayers, who am I to nurse any further disappointment. I am very grateful.”
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has given assurance that the President will not disappoint Southeast in the execution of the ongoing legacy projects in the region before he leaves office in 2023.
Adesina, who received in audience, the Editorial management of Orient Daily Newspaper, led by Stanley Egbochuku, today, March 5, at the Presidential Villa, said that many ongoing Federal projects in the five south-eastern States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo are currently at different stages of completion.
According to him, there are about 69 ongoing projects mainly roads and bridges in the region, which are being funded from budgetary allocations, the Sukuk Bond and the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund.
“Last December, I had reason to travel to Onitsha, Anambra State and onboard the flight to Asaba, I remember the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, asking me to ‘thank the President profusely for us on the second Niger Bridge.’
“The good thing is that the project will be completed by February 2022, as promised by the contractor handling it.”
Adesina welcomed the initiative by the media group to partner with his office to uphold professionalism in the media industry.
This was even as Egbochuku, who is a former Vice President of African Capital Alliance praised the two principal Presidential media handlers; Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, saying that they have done so much.
“You have not disappointed us in the media industry and must be assured of our strong support.”
Egbochuku, a close associate of the late Chief MKO Abiola, had at one time or the other worked with Daily Times of Nigeria Plc, Concord Press Nigeria Limited, Business Day Media Limited.
Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks in Africa will converge on Transcorp Hotel, Abuja from March 9 to 10, for a Senior Policy Seminar on agriculture, aimed at coming up with a policy on how the continent would leverage research for agricultural development. The seminar is organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), a Nairobi-based public non-profit organization, devoted to advancement of economic policy research and training.
A statement from the CBN today, March 5 said that the seminar will provide high-level African policy makers, including Central Bank Governors, Ministers of Finance and others across the continent, the opportunity to come together to dialogue and exchange ideas and policy experiences and research studies conducted by the AERC and its affiliates.
It said that the seminar has as its theme: “Agricultural and Food Policies for Better Nutrition in Africa,” and will have about 15 Central Bank Governors and Ministers of Finance across the continent in attendance.
National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has bounced back from suspension slammed on him yesterday by an Abuja court.
Today, March 6, less than 24 hours after the suspension order by an Abuja high court.
The judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa ordered the police and Department of State Service (DSS) to provide security for Oshiomhole to resume in his office.
Justice Danlemi Senchi, had granted an order of interim injunction stopping Oshiomhole from parading himself as the APC National Chairman.
However, hours after the ruling, Oshiomhole appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.
As at press time, it was not clear who filed the case in Kano.
Obasanjo, You’re Number One Enemy Of Yoruba Race, By Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo
With all due respect sir, you have been more of a disaster to the Yoruba nation than a blessing since 1960. You destroyed the Yoruba nation for the sake of your greed and selfishness. We will never forgive and forget your misdeeds against millions of Yoruba citizens.
In the name of Olodumare, the Yoruba nation will get out of this shithole called Nigeria and you can gladly relocate your lineage to North or eastern part of Nigeria but not in Yorubaland.
If you are actually remorseful and shameful, you should never talk about Yoruba agenda because you are the number one enemy of the Yoruba race.
Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo wrote in his open letter to retired General Olusegun Obasanjo. Please read pn:
OPEN LETTER TO RETIRED GENERAL OLUSEGUN OBASANJO
Dear sir,
I was shocked when I read the news last week that Nigeria must be restructured in order to avoid her disintegration. I couldn’t believe my ears that our same President Olusegun Obasanjo can openly canvass for true federalism and restructuring, waow… God is really a wonderful.
Sir, is it true that you said the present Nigerian structure has turned your Yoruba race into second class citizens? Am I dreaming or what?
Sir, are you just realizing that the Yorubas are actually a conquered people within the contraption called Nigeria after you have spent over 10 years as the former president and head of state of Nigeria???
What were you thinking when you were using state actors like the Nigerian army and army to kill, maim and destroy fellow Yorubas and other southerners like the people of Odi, all in name of one Nigeria?
With all due respect sir, why are you trying to turn into a Yoruba nationalist all of sudden after you have openly denigrated and spited your people both home and abroad for the sake of other ethnicities most especially the fulani Oligarchs and caliphate in Nigeria.
Your atrocities against the Yoruba nation is uncountable. As far as I know you have never used your position and influence to preserve the Yoruba race or fight against injustice meted out against the Yoruba nation by other ethnic nationalities within Nigeria.
Madam funmilayo Ransome kuti was killed during your regime as the military head of states, also Chief Bola Ige was assasinated during your regime as the civilian head of state. Till date nobody has been prosecuted for the assassination of this bright Yoruba citizens.
We still remember the hatred and bitterness you harbor against chief Obafemi Awolowo. Obafemi Awolowo stood and sacrificed for the Yoruba nation till his death while you planned and pray so that his legacy will be permanently destroyed in Yorubaland, Nigeria and throughout the world. Fela Anikulapo kuti was beaten and tortured by soldiers during your regime as the head of state. Fela today is one of the greatest Yoruba sons that ever graced the earth.
Awolowo won the election in 1978 but you openly campaigned and rigged in Favour of a fulani candidate. You were quoted to have said that the best candidate will not win the election. Your hatred for MKO Abiola is also well known. After you became the president of Nigeria on the back of Yoruba agenda in 1999 and the sacrifices of MKO and Kudirat Abiola, you embarked on the campaign of whitewashing the struggle of june12. You even said Abiola is not the messiah Nigeria needs. What a shameful statement.
When patriotic Yoruba citizens were fighting to reclaim Kwara from Fulani hegemony, anarchy and apartheid system of government in 1999, led by Gani Adams and Mohammed lawal, you openly unleashed the military and the police to massacre thousands of Yoruba freedom fighters. You handed over power back to the Saraki dynasty and the emirates in kwara without thinking twice while the Yoruba nation was cursing you for your treason.
Should we even mention how you used thugs, deceit and betrayal to destroy the Alliance for democracy and Afenifere group.
We still remember how you refuse to give lagos state, a Yoruba state in Yorubaland monthly allocation for 3 years because the governor of Lagos state led by Tinubu complained to you that why should lagos state have 20 local government while Kano state that contributes nothing to Nigeria’s revenue has 44 local government. Your response was to starve Yoruba sons and daughters living in lagos to death by withholding their allocation for 3 good years.
Tinubu wanted to build an independent power station in lagos to serve lagos state, you destroyed and frustrated the project.
A national census was carried out in 2006 by your government which was declared as a fraud because of your usual commitment in favouring the hausa fulani establishment over your people.
During your government, Yoruba intellectuals told you and warned you that restructuring and true federalism is the only way out of the impending doom of Nigeria. What did you do? You used federal might to silence your critics and openly said you are a Nigerian nationalist not a Yoruba nationalist. Do you still remember sir?
Fast forward those years to 2020, you are all of a sudden crying and screaming of fulanisation and Islamization. You are now an apostle of true federalism and restructuring. It’s even amazing that you can attend Oodua people’s congress meeting to talk about Yoruba agenda after you openly called Oodua peoples congress a terrorist organization? What a shame.
With all due respect sir, you have been more of a disaster to the Yoruba nation than a blessing since 1960. You destroyed the Yoruba nation for the sake of your greed and selfishness. We will never forgive and forget your misdeeds against millions of Yoruba citizens.
In the name of Olodumare, the Yoruba nation will get out of this shithole called Nigeria and you can gladly relocate your lineage to North or eastern part of Nigeria but not in Yorubaland.
If you are actually remorseful and shameful, you should never talk about Yoruba agenda because you are the number one enemy of the Yoruba race.
May Olodumare continue to uplift the Yoruba race.
Yours sincerely,
Aare Kurunmi Kakanfo.