Ondo Governor, Akeredolu, Orders Police Commissioner To Block Deputy Governor, Ajayi, From Moving Personal Belongings Out Of Government House

The deputy governor and some personal aides had gone to the Government House to move out personal items ahead of the planned defection of Ajayi to the Peoples Democratic Party in preparation of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.mild drama ensued on Saturday night after Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, instructed security agents to block his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, from packing out of Government House in Akure, the state capital.

The deputy governor and some personal aides had gone to the Government House to move out personal items ahead of the planned defection of Ajayi to the Peoples Democratic Party in preparation of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.

SaharaReporters gathered that the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Mr Bolaji Salami, acting on the governor's instructions repeatedly barred the pilot vehicle of Mr Ajayi from moving his personal belongings out of the compound.For over several hours, the deputy governor and aides were seen in a video footage arguing with the security personnel blocking their exit from the Government House. 

A media aide to the deputy governor, Mr Allen Sowore, confirmed Saturday's incident to our correspondent. 

He said, "We could not leave the Government House for several hours yesterday as they refused the deputy governor to pack his personal belongings.

"At a time, the deputy governor had to ask the position of the Commissioner of Police in this matter because the way he acted was just too low of him as a public officer."

There had been a cold war between Ajayi and Akeredolu, which became visible shortly after 2019 general election when the APC lost the presidential election in the state. 

The relationship broke down completely after the deputy governor began boycotting all activities of government including that of the party in the state. 

Ajayi has concluded plans to leave the APC to PDP where he could possibly emerge their candidate for the governorship election slated for October.

source: Sahara reporters

Oyakhilome hits church leaders over COVID-19 guidelines

Founder of Christ Embassy, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, has lashed out as church leaders again for complying with the COVID-19 ban on religious gatherings.

He described the guidelines as “wicked”, stating they were initiated to muzzle the body of Christ.

Some of the guidelines, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), include wearing of face masks, suspension of Holy Communion, social distancing and body temperature check, among others.

He also berated church leaders for compliance with government directives on religious gatherings.

In his latest televised service, he stated it was odd church leaders were afraid of the virus.

He argued that one can’t believe in Jesus and be afraid of touching coronavirus patients and other virus.

He insisted what church leaders were inadvertently planning is “persecution of Christians”.

source: The Nation

Buhari leads tributes for Ibidun Ighodalo

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed surprise at the death of Mrs. Ibidun Itua-Ighodalo, wife of Pastor Itua Ighodalo of Trinity House in Lagos.

President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said he shared the pain and sorrow of the family at the sudden death.

The President prayed God’s comfort for the entire family, friends and members of Trinity House.

He said that Pastor Ighodalo is one person who “faithfully prays for the country, and the government” and sent him a personal letter of condolence when his former Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, passed away in April.

“Please accept my condolence. May God give you the fortitude to bear the loss, and strengthen you at this trying time,” Buhari said.

Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, tweeted: “Life! Ibidun Ighodalo? Just gone ……. like a candle in the wind. May God comfort our very dear Pastor Ituah and rest of family in the way that only He can in Jesus name.”

The Nation

Obaseki’s defection excites PDP Governors

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not hide their excitement over the defection of the Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the main opposition party.

The PDP governors are particularly excited that Obaseki’s entry into the party has increased the number of states controlled by the PDP from 15 to 16.

Similarly, the governors, particularly those from the South-South, are also happy that with Obaseki’s defection, the PDP is now in control of the entire six states in that geopolitical zone.

In a statement on Friday by the Director-General of the PDP Governors Forum, Cyril Maduabum, the governor described Obaseki’s entry into PDP as a homecoming to a democratic platform.

The Forum added that the PDP accommodates all Nigerians desirous of good governance, accountability and deepening of democratic tenets.

The Nation

George Floyd: Second police officer arrested over death freed from prison on bail

 

A second fired police officer who was arrested over the killing of George Floyd has been released from prison.

J. Alexander Kueng was released from Hennepin County Jail on Friday night after posting bail of £607,344 ($750,000).

Kueng, 26, is one of three Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in connection with Mr Floyd's death on May 25.

He was released at just before 7.30pm local time on Friday, Star Tribune reports.

source: Mirror.co.uk

Madagascar announces plans for COVID-Organics capsules

Madagascar is in the process of equipping its health facilities in order to produce most medicines it currently imports, president Rajoelina announced on Thursday.

The president was reacting to the receipt of state-of-the-art equipment to equip the new pharmaceutical plant “Pharmalagasy.” The consignment was delivered by the Pharma Wing section of Ethiopian Airlines.

“Thanks to the work of Malagasy researchers and foreign scientists, Pharmalagasy will launch CVO+, a curative and preventive capsule against Covid-19 made from artemisia,” Rajoelina added stressing that the move was part of Madagascar positioning “itself on the global pharmaceutical market.”

COVID-Organics has now transited from the usual liquid form, even as government backtracked on administering it via injectables. The capsules are the new form that the president is announcing.

Meanwhile, the WHO and Africa Centers for Disease Control, Africa CDC, have yet to release any findings or developments from their interactions with Malagasy authorities over the purported virus cure.

The country has also announced a partnership with a Bionexx, a company specialized in the culture of artemisia, a move that will make Madagascar the first African producer of medicines based on the medicinal plant, Rajoelina added.

COVID-Organics at a glance

• Rajoelina says it was developed by Malasy Institute of Applied Research.
• Says it is of two type, the curative and preventive
• It is made from Artemisia – an anti-malarial plant that grows on the island
• Another name for it is Tambavy CVO
• The WHO – global and Africa offices have cautioned against it and other unproven herbal drugs
• It is freely distributed in schools and in other public places
• A number of African countries officially requested for them, among others Tanzania, Congo, DRC, Chad, Comoros
• Madagascar made a donation to West African nations in the ECOWAS bloc. But the ECOWAS Commission clarified it hadn’t ordered for or endorsed the potion.
• Africa Centers for Disease Control is in talks with Madagascar over the potion
• According to Rajoelina, the country will sign a confidentiality clause with WHO on the formulation of the drug.
• A number of Africa countries are subjecting the donation to tests before administering if at all.

• Confirmed cases = 1,403
• Number of deaths = 13
• Recoveries = 463
• Active cases = 927

source; africanews.com

Bilbo Baggins Is Dead!

Stage and film actor Sir Ian Holm, who played Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings films, has died aged 88.

Sir Ian, Oscar-nominated as Olympic running coach Sam Mussabini in Chariots of Fire, also played the android Ash in 1979's Alien.

"It is with great sadness we can confirm that the actor Sir Ian Holm CBE passed away this morning at the age of 88," his agent said in a statement.

"He died peacefully in hospital with his family and carer," he added.

BBC news