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Covid-19 reimbursement: Ogun dismisses fake news, berates masterminds

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Ogun: Yellow journalism and senseless propaganda of frustrated elements

Covid-19 reimbursement: Ogun dismisses fake news, berates masterminds

 

 

 

 

The Ogun State Government has described as blatant falsehood, a news report which claimed that the Federal Government refused to make COVID-19 reimbursement to the state because of pervasive corruption.

 

 

 

 

 

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, the State Government said that contrary to the insinuations in the fake report, the Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery & Economic Stimulus (NG-Cares) programme is not a COVID-19 intervention but a post-COVID economic stimulus packaged for poor and vulnerable people in the society, as well as Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME’s) that were most negatively affected by the pandemic in terms of disruptions to livelihoods and businesses respectively, adding that the states that had been reimbursed so far are only the first set of beneficiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

Somorin said the so-called bombshell report is mere comedy taken too far, as the authors decided to hold brief for the Federal Government without doing basic research.

 

 

 

 

 

Somorin added that the verification exercise is continuous and all eligible Ogun State Government post-COVID economic stimulus and related expenditures would be captured and adequately reimbursed in subsequent verification exercises, as each state of the Federation is eligible to receive up to $20m.

 

 

 

Covid-19 reimbursement: Ogun dismisses fake news, berates masterminds

 

 

 

Tracing the origins of the programme, Somorin said: “The NG-Cares Program, funded by the World Bank, was originally designed as a loan to the 36 states.

“However, given the level of investments and costs expended by Ogun State during the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to investments in healthcare facilities and palliatives to ameliorate the suffering experienced by Ogun citizens at the time, and other subsequent socio-economic interventions such as Okowo-Dapo for women, employment of artisans for affordable housing construction, maintenance of public roads and planting materials palliatives for farmers, the Ogun State government decided not to take further loans.

“However, due to various engagements by the 36 states with the Federal Government and the World Bank on the need to re-structure the funding of the Program, the NG-Cares Program was recently changed to a Performance for Results (PfR) Grant program, and so the reimbursements to State Governments announced were the eligible expenses incurred and validated during the first verification exercise.”

According to him, at no time did the Ogun State Government lower the standards in its management of post Covid-19 intervention programmes, describing the authors of the report as political failures desperate for attention.

He added that the efforts of Ogun State, the first to record the index case in Nigeria, in the management of COVID-19 is second to none, adding that Ogun was the first to put a state-owned molecular laboratory in place during the pandemic, coupled with the various degrees of isolation centers in strategic locations of the state, including Olabisi Onabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital ( OOUTH), Sagamu, Model School Ikenne, General Hospital, Iberekodo, among other ones which were donated by private individuals.

According to him, the system put in place by the Prince Dapo Abiodun led government to manage the pandemic was inspected by the then Director General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ( NCDC), Dr. Chike Ihekweazu and the Country Director of World Health Organisation( WHO), Dr. Fiona Braka, both of whom lauded the State Government for giving direction to other states on how to deal with the pandemic.

“Even the then Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunibe Mamora, during his visit to Abeokuta in March 2021, expressed satisfaction with the response activities of Ogun State to Covid-19, saying that the State has done excellently well.

Ogun State, it would be recalled won several awards for its proactiveness for the management of the pandemic and was adjudged the overall best performing State on Routine Immunisation (RI) and COVID-19 Vaccination by the
National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA).

“Governor Abiodun is a man known to be committed to putting a round peg in a round hole without giving room for anything less than the best.

Speaking on the distribution of palliatives during the pandemic, the statement debunked the allegation of corruption in the exercise saying: “The governor set up an inter-ministerial committee, which was a task force in charge of palliatives and enforcing compliance during and after the lockdown. The Secretary to the State Government was at no time in charge of procurement in relation to Covid-19 just as it is worthy of note that no political appointees took Covid-19 palliatives as his or her private items for personal use.

“The CACOVID items were distributed based on the instructions of the donors, and our papers are there as proofs of how the distributions were done.

“The naysayers only brought the figments of their imaginations to the public space to ridicule themselves. We therefore advise the public to ignore these lies as our government remains committed to transparency and accountability in the efforts to fulfil our avowed electoral promises,” he said.

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Group Accuses Kaduna Governor of Keeping Political Prisoners

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Group Accuses Kaduna Governor of Keeping Political Prisoners

Group Accuses Kaduna Governor of Keeping Political Prisoners
…Urges Amnesty International, others to wade in

 

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) known as the Voice of Truth Nigeria (VTN) has accused the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani of keeping political prisoners in spite of valid and subsisting orders of court of competent jurisdiction granting them bail.

In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by VTN’s Programmes Coordinator, Dare Quadri, the group stated that the political prisoners are Jimi Adebisi Lawal, the former Senior Advisor and Counsellor to ex-Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; Umar Waziri, the former Accountant-General of Kaduna State; Bashir Saidu, a former Kaduna State Commissioner of Finance and Yusuf Inuwa, also a former Commissioner for Finance in the state.

The statement reads in part “It is worrisome that a man who parades himself as an activist and a member of the civil society would abuse his office and resort to using his position to compromise the judiciary and victimize political opponents who were charged on trumped on charges even when the court has granted them bail and they have since met the bail conditions. It is commonplace that an accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But, in Governor Uba Sani’s Kaduna State, the reverse seems to be the case.

“It is a sad commentary on our judiciary that the application for the variation of the bail terms have been stalled over one flimsy excuse or the other.

“According to credible information available to us, while Saidu was accused of laundering N155 million; Lawal, Waziri, Inuwa and a company known as Solar Life Nigeria Limited were charged for allegedly laundering N64.8 million by the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on the 21st of January, 2025, contrary to the earlier unfounded claim of misappropriating the sum of N423 billion.

“After taking their non-guilty pleas, the Federal High Court heard their bail applications and consequently granted them bail.The court ordered the defendants to provide two sureties with N50 million each, who must have landed property in Kaduna with verified Certificates of Occupancy.

“Shortly after the defendant were granted bail, the agency responsible for the verification of Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O), Kaduna Geographical Information Service (KADGIS), suddenly suspended verification services for Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O), just as its Director-General was said to have suddenly travelled out of Kaduna to an unknown destination and without any information as to when he would return.

“All these schemes, we were reliably informed, were at the instance and under the direction of Governor Sani who has vowed to keep the defendants behind bars for as long as he desires. And to make through his boastings the defendants has remained in prison custody since the 21st of January, 2025 even when they have met all the bail conditions because KADGIS, acting on the instruction of Governor Sani, refused to verify the Certificates of Occupancy (Cs of O) in spite of two letters written by Mrs Anthonia Layi Oyibo, the Deputy Registrar of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, seeking their verification. The first was dated 21st day of January, 2025 and the second was dated 3rd February, 2025.”

The group therefore urged all well-meaning Nigerians, the international community and foremost human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS), among others, to prevail on Governor Sani to stop the abuse of power and free all the political prisoners “without further delay”.

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Rite Foods Partners NASRE Foundation to Support Ailing Journalists

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Rite Foods Partners NASRE Foundation to Support Ailing Journalists

*Rite Foods Partners NASRE Foundation to Support Ailing Journalists

 

Rite Foods Limited, a leading indigenous manufacturer in the Food & Beverages sector, has partnered the Noble Association of Social and Resourceful Editors(NASRE) Foundation to provide support for ailing journalists and widows of deceased media practitioners in the country.

 

 

This collaboration comes as part of NASRE’s ongoing efforts to assist journalists facing health challenges across the country, having embarked on three outreach programmes last year.

Rite Foods Partners NASRE Foundation to Support Ailing Journalists

The NASRE team was warmly received on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, by the management of Rite Foods at its Head Office in Ikeja, Lagos State.

Receiving NASRE team on behalf of the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Saleem Adegunwa, the Head of Corporate Communications and Brand Management , Mr. Ekuma Eze was elated with the visit.

Earlier during the visit, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of NASRE, Mr. Adeyemi Obadimu had outlined the foundation’s mission and the purpose of the meeting. He revealed the health and financial challenges facing most veteran journalists, who had, during their active years, served the country meritoriously, but are now struggling to survive.

Obadimu highlighted that NASRE’s outreach programme last year was a success, benefiting over 70 individuals, including journalists suffering from partial stroke, widows, and widowers of deceased practitioners . He emphasised the importance of taking care of journalists in need, especially, the veterans who have contributed greatly to the industry.

“Journalism is a thankless job, and as much as we may be appreciated in our bylines, it is crucial that we care for our colleagues who have dedicated their lives to the profession,” said Obadimu.

Butressing his point, the Director, Public Engagement, Mr. Bunmi Obarotimi who represented the President of the association, Mr. Femi Oyewale said: “NASRE’s intends to launch the Foundation officially in this current year and we are proud to have Rite Foods as our partner going forward.”

In his response, Ekuma Eze commended NASRE Foundation for its noble and impactful initiatives, recognising the significant difference it has made in the lives of journalists and their families. He praised the foundation’s efforts in providing assistance to over 70 journalists and their dependents last year. Eze reiterated Rite Foods’ unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that foster the well-being of the media community.

“At Rite Foods, we are deeply invested in contributing to the development of our society. We understand the importance of health and well-being, especially for those who dedicate their lives to sharing vital information with the public. We believe in the mission of NASRE and are committed to supporting your work in every way possible,” Eze stated.

“This partnership will go beyond just providing financial support; we are dedicated to helping create an ecosystem where journalists can thrive, even in the face of adversity,” he added.

He also spoke about the company’s long-term goals, highlighting Rite Foods’ plan to expand beyond Nigeria and into other African countries. “We have exciting plans for the future,” he added. “Rite Foods is committed to not only strengthening its footprint within Nigeria but also extending our reach to the wider African continent. We believe that our growth will not only benefit our business but also contribute to the national economy, creates job opportunities, and foster the development of the beverage and food sectors.”

Eze emphasised that Rite Foods has been actively involved in national economic development, focusing on reducing unemployment and improving service delivery. As one of the leading manufacturers in the beverage, drinks, and sausages sectors, Rite Foods remains committed to excellence in all its business operations, he said.

Through innovation, quality products, and partnerships like the one with NASRE, the company aims to continue breaking new ground in the industry.

He concluded that, “Our mission at Rite Foods is clear: to improve lives, deliver quality products, and contribute to the economic growth of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. We are proud to partner with organizations like NASRE that share our values of social responsibility and community development.”

The partnership between Rite Foods and NASRE marks a significant step in supporting the health and well-being of journalists, ensuring that those who have dedicated their careers to the industry receive the care and recognition they deserve.

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Man Cries Out Over Domestic Violence: ‘My Wife Beats Me in Front of Our Kids!’

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Man Cries Out Over Domestic Violence: 'My Wife Beats Me in Front of Our Kids!'

Man Cries Out Over Domestic Violence: ‘My Wife Beats Me in Front of Our Kids!’

 

A shocking case of domestic violence has surfaced after a distressed man publicly revealed that he is being physically assaulted by his wife—right in front of their children.

The startling confession took place at Ebuka Obi’s Zion Prayer Movement, where the man, alongside his wife and children, exposed the troubling family dynamic. According to him, every time he disciplines his children, his wife retaliates by physically attacking him, disregarding his requests to settle disputes in private.

Man Cries Out Over Domestic Violence: 'My Wife Beats Me in Front of Our Kids!'

In an emotional account, the man explained how his wife’s actions have influenced their children. He claimed that whenever he punishes them, they no longer cower in fear but rather fight back—either by hitting him or throwing objects at him.

“I told her that if she wants to correct me, she should wait until we are alone, but she won’t listen. Instead, she beats me in front of the kids,” the man lamented, as members of the congregation erupted in laughter.

 

The situation escalated when the wife, rather than showing remorse, aggressively defended herself. Witnesses say she verbally attacked her husband inside the church before their own children had to step in and calm her down.

The bizarre and unsettling family drama has since gone viral, drawing mixed reactions from the public. While some sympathize with the man, calling for awareness on male victims of domestic violence, others have ridiculed the situation, treating it as a humorous incident.

 

Public Reaction: Domestic Abuse Against Men is No Joke

The shocking revelation has reignited conversations about the often-overlooked issue of domestic violence against men. Many social media users have criticized the congregation’s reaction, arguing that abuse should not be laughed off simply because the victim is male.

As the debate rages on, one thing remains clear—domestic violence, regardless of gender, is a serious issue that demands attention and intervention.

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