plumber falls into well, drowns In Lagos

A plumber , Bankole Adeshina , has lost his life while working inside a well on Abosede Awolola Street in the Itamaga area of Ikorodu , Lagos State .

PUNCH Metro gathered that Adeshina and his apprentice, Tajudeen Akasoro , were working together when the 50 - year - old , who was said to have supported himself with a rope, entered the well to do some repairs.

While coming out , it was learnt that the rope snapped and Adeshina fell into the well .

Immediately the incident happened ,

PUNCH Metro gathered that emergency responders , including personnel of the Lagos State Fire Service and the state police command from the Igbogbo Police Division were contacted to rescue the victim.

However , efforts by Tajudeen and some residents to quickly rescue Adeshina proved abortive as he drowned.

When PUNCH Metro visited the scene of the incident , residents who spoke on condition of anonymity , said officials of the fire service were assisted by the police to recover Adeshina ’ s corpse from the well .

“ Immediately the incident happened , we informed the police and the state fire service was also contacted and they came here to recover his corpse , ” a resident said .

Another resident said Adeshina would have survived the fall if the well was wide enough , adding that its narrowness compounded the situation .

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana , said a resident , Patrick Adeyemi , informed the police about the incident , adding that after Adeshina ’ s body was recovered from the well , it was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

Punchng.com

Some persons against peace in Nigeria – Gowon

A former Head of State , Gen. Yakubu Gowon ( retd ) , on Thursday raised the alarm that some persons with sinister motives did not want peace to prevail in Nigeria.

Gowon , however , expressed optimism that through prayers, the country would overcome such challengers so that Nigeria would not break up .

He spoke at a thanksgiving service and reception in honour of the Executive Secretary , Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission , Rev . Yakubu Pam , at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

Represented at the event by a former governor of Benue State and Minister of Special Duties and Inter - Governmental Affairs , Senator George Akume, the former head of state also warned against undermining the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

Gowon said , “ There are people with sinister motives who wouldn ’ t want peace , but through prayers we will overcome so that Nigeria will not go asunder . This country is too big and too versed , with a population of 200 million people . A scholar said that we are structurally complex and plurally diverse.

“ If our territorial integrity is undermined, Somalia will be a child ’ s play . We don’ t have to toy with our unity . You are in a very good position working closely with CAN and people of other faith , so that together , we can re- establish peace , push forward our agenda for our territorial integrity, push forward for our oneness so that together , supporting the President , we can take our country to the next level . ”

During the event , the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo - Agege, said Pam should use his position and relationship with the Christian Association of Nigeria “ to sustain and improve intra - religious and inter- religious harmony among Nigerians for which you are well known . ”

Army dismisses 300 soldiers for desertion, BVN inconsistency

The Nigerian Army has dismissed over 300 soldiers from service for deserting the

Operation Lafiya Dole counter - insurgency campaign in the North- East and going away without leave , among other allegations .

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the men were disengaged by their unit commanders between 2015 and 2016 .

Investigations showed that some of the soldiers were also discharged for certificate forgery , age fraud, inconsistent Bank Verification Number and other conduct deemed inappropriate by the various unit commanders .

Records obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday show that 24 soldiers of the 118 Task Force Battalion , Kaura Cross, Baga , were dismissed from the military on December 13 , 2015 , for refusing to board an articulated truck from Maimalari cantonment to Baga .

The men had complained about the mode of transportation and proceeded to trek for five days to the battlefront at Baga to retake the location from Boko Haram.

On arrival , their Commanding Officer, Col . S . Omolori , charged them with desertion and dismissed the first batch of 24 soldiers.

Three weeks later on January 4 , 2016 , Omolori discharged the second set of 30 soldiers and another 24 men also for desertion .

Further investigations revealed that 45 soldiers of 157 Battalion were equally expelled on January 16 , 2016 , for going AWOL .

Also , on February 28 , 2016 , 24 soldiers were demobilised for going AWOL just as 36 privates who graduated from the Army depot were sent packing by the authorities for certificate forgery , inconsistent BVN , age fraud , among other issues .

Checks, however , revealed that some of the affected soldiers had challenged their dismissal by their unit commanders , whom they accused of high - handedness and tyranny.

Dutch airline KLM to cut 5,000 jobs

Dutch airline KLM said Friday it would shed up to 5 , 000 jobs due to a “ crisis of unprecedented magnitude ” caused by the coronavirus pandemic .

The carrier , part of the Air France KLM group , said the cuts through the end of 2021 were necessary as it had made huge losses despite a 3 . 4 - billion - euro ( $ 4 . 0 -billion ) Dutch government bailout .

The cuts would involve around 1 , 500 compulsory layoffs from KLM ’ s current workforce of 33 , 000, the airline said .

There would also be 2 , 000 voluntary redundancies announced earlier this year , while further cuts would be made through non - renewal of 1 , 500 temporary contracts.

“ KLM is in the throes of a crisis of unprecedented magnitude … Expectations are that the road to recovery will be long and fraught with uncertainty, ” KLM said in a statement .

“ This means that KLM ’ s structure and size must be rigorously adjusted even further in the years ahead . Consequently , a total of 4 , 500 to 5 , 000 positions in the entire KLM Group will cease to exist . ”

The jobs lost would involve up to 300 flight crew , 300 cabin crew , 500 ground staff and around 400 jobs at KLM subsidiaries and in the Air France- KLM group positions.

KLM said it would “ keep open the possibility of further reductions ” due to the “ high level of uncertainty” in the airline business due to the pandemic , with demand not expected to recover until 2023 or 2024 .

“ It is incredibly difficult and sad for KLM to now have to bid farewell to valuable , committed colleagues , ” KLM CEO Pieter Elbers said in the statement .

Soldier goes berserk, kills senior officer over frozen salary account

A soldier serving with the 202 Battalion of the 21 Special Armoured Brigade , Bama , Borno State , has shot dead his adjutant , Lt . Babakaka Ngorgi, for allegedly refusing to give him a travel pass to enable him resolve his inability to access his salary account , which had been frozen for about eight months .

The private , whose identity could not be ascertained , was said to have fired some rounds at the officer, who was making a phone call in front of the unit headquarters on Wednesday .

The killer soldier was immediately taken into custody at the scene of the incident , while the remains of the officer were evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Services and Hospital .

The shooting reportedly threw the officers and men of the 202 Battalion into confusion .

Military sources said the suspected killer ’ s bank account was frozen by the authorities because he went AWOL ( away without official leave ) for six months .

He was said to have returned to his unit in Bama and had been pestering the deceased to give him a travel pass so that he could sort out the problem, but Ngorgi reportedly refused to accede to his request .

But the matter took a tragic turn when the soldier went to the deceased ’ s office and gunned him down .

Ngorgi, according to reports , got married last December .

A source said , “ The tragic incident occurred at the 202 Battalion , Bama , when a soldier shot his adjutant . They had a disagreement over an undisclosed issue .

“ In addition to that , the adjutant refused to give the soldier a pass to go and solve his problem after eight months without salary and allowances . The soldier had gone AWOL for six months and his account was frozen .

“ So, on Wednesday morning , he emptied his magazine of 30 rounds on the officer. The soldier was arrested and handcuffed immediately . ”

PUNCH Metro gathered on Thursday that Military Police investigators had commenced investigation into the incident .

Newspaper Headlines

SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, 31/07/2020

Punch

Buhari, Afenifere, others mourn as Fasanmi dies at 94

COVID-19 guidelines not designed to oppress Nigerians –Buhari

I will deploy hunters if military cannot secure Baga – Zulum

Army dismisses 300 soldiers for desertion, BVN inconsistency

Widows, IDPs knock FG over amnesty for B’Haram fighters

Soldier goes berserk, kills senior officer over frozen salary account

WHO fears increased COVID 19 infections as Muslims celebrate Sallah

Brazil’s first lady contracts COVID-19

Foreign reserves drop by $673.13m in two months

IMF introduces new transparency code for Nigeria, others

2023: PANDEF, MASSOB knock Daura over comment on zoning

MTN Nigeria posts 4.7% decline in profit after tax

Bama gets Nigerian factory

Group unveils ‘Naija Unity House’ reality show

Ganduje organises prayer against COVID-19

Don’t come to Benue with Miyetti Allah’s vigilante – State

Diri hails Diete-Spiff on 78th birthday

Ban on religious gatherings subsists –Ondo

Oyo opens Eid praying grounds

Again, gunmen kidnap travellers on Abuja-Kaduna road

Imo female lawmaker wants colleague punished for bottle attack

Kwara vaccinates 150,000 goats, sheep

Rivers widow, alleged rapist cop disagree on rape claim

(www.punchng.com)

The Nation

Nigeria records 481 new cases of COVID-19, total now 42,689

Momah served Nigeria, humanity with his talents, says Buhari 

Second Republic Senator Fasanmi dies at 94

Senate President, Speaker, governors, Akande, others mourn Fasanmi 

158 stranded Nigerians return from Niger Republic

EFCC probe: Magu’s lawyer faces ethics pressure  

NNPC: no stolen crude oil found in China

Akpata beats Ajibade, Adesina as NBA president 

ASUU advocates more allocation to education

Nigerian firm begins production of medical face masks 

Group to Buhari: deploy more troops in Southern Kaduna  

Obaseki creates PDP women wing campaign council  

Ganduje warns over rise in virus cases in Kano 

We will recover Kwara’s stolen assets, says AbdulRazaq 

Anambra traders jubilate over disbursement of 10% tax refund

Enugu directs workers to resume on August 3

Lagos opens boarding houses as schools resume next week

Dynamite explodes at Oyo robbed bank  

Dogara’s allegations unfounded, says Bauchi govt  

UNIABUJA enforces no mask no entry for workers, visitors

BBNaija Lockdown: Billionaire’s son gets entangled with MBGN ex-finalist 

(www.thenationonlineng.net)

Vanguard

Zulum points accusing finger at military, says attack on convoy complete sabotage

Eid-el-Kabir: Buhari, govs, others advocate compliance with COVID-19 protocols

ABUJA LEADS WITH 96 NEW COVID-19 CASES, AS NIGERIA RECORDS 481 

FG evacuates 98 Nigerians stranded in Morocco since March

Sallah: FIRS extends deadline for tax filing by 1 week

MNJTF Deputy Force Commander, Brig-General Mellingui replaced

2 dead, 16 injured as Boko Haram terrorists fire mortars in Maiduguri

FRSC ARRESTS 5 STAFF FOR EXTORTION IN NASARAWA STATE 

COVID-19: FG to begin cost contaiment in oil/gas industry ― Sylva

CBN MAIZE IMPORT BAN ILL-TIMED, MAY CRIPPLE POULTRY SECTOR — DON

PAN BEGINS PRODUCTION OF HIGER BUSES 

Senior civil servants elect Bola-Audu President

2023: Tinubu/Dogara presidential ticket’s rumour — Governor Buni

Face mask defaulters risk six-month jail term from August 4 in Ogun state

Gov Ikpeazu inaugurates 7-member board to manage Enyimba automated shoe factory

Abia schools to reopen August 10

Health workers call for more testing laboratories, isolation centres in FCT 

COVLD-19: KWRTMA BEGINS ENFORCEMENT OF NOSE MASKS IN KWARA FRIDAY 

GOMBE STATE BUYS 1,159 CARTOONS OF RUTF FOR TREATMENT OF MALNUTRITION 

Widow raped by policeman: Rivers CP summons suspects, transfers case to SCID

(www.vanguardngr.com)

Peace is not something you wish for, it's something you make. - Robert Fulghum

### Barka da Sallah

Nigerian students now beggars in UK-Dabiri

The Chairman , Nigerians in Diaspora Commission , Abike Dabiri- Erewa , has appealed to the Niger Delta Development Commission to pay the allowances , tuition and other incentives of students on its scholarship scheme in the United Kingdom.

She said the students had turned beggars following the non - payment of their tuition and allowances by the NDDC.

Some of the affected students had complained that they had been suspended by their schools for non - payment of tuition and other fees.

But Dabiri - Erewa in a statement on Tuesday by Mr Gabriel Odu of the NiDCOM Media , Public Relations and Protocol Unit , made reference to a letter written to the Minister of the Niger Delta , Sen . Godswill Akpabio, dated June 18 , 2020 , drawing attention to the plight of the students , and urging the NDDC to pay them .

The statement read , “ At the moment , there have been persistent calls by the students for urgent intervention .

“ While the deadline for payment of the fees of some of the students has expired or about to expire , non - payment of their allowances has virtually turned many of them to beggars . ”

PDP postpones primaries in four states

The Peoples Democratic Party has postponed its scheduled party primaries in Ekiti, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba States indefinitely .

This was contained in a letter titled : “ Re : Re : Year 2020 Party Congresses in 26 ( Twenty Six ) Chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) , Postponement of Party Congresses in Ekiti, Niger , Sokoto and Taraba States ” addressed to the Chairman , Independent National Electoral Commission , on Monday, July 27 th .

It was signed by the PDP National Chairman , Uche Secondus and National Secretary , Senator Umar Tsauri .

In the letter which was received and acknowledged by INEC on Tuesday , the party said it was postponing the primaries in the four states because of “ unforeseen circumstances . ”

A copy of the letter sighted by The PUNCH late on Tuesday read in part “ Please refer to our earlier letter with reference No : PDP / DOM CF . 2 / VolIC /20 - 094, in which we informed the Commission ( INEC ) of our Time table and schedule of activities for the completion of the outstanding congresses of our party .

“ Due to unforeseen circumstances we are compelled to postpone our planned congresses in the aforementioned states .

“ We will communicate to the commission as soon as a new date is fixed . ”

Security and Justice: An unbreakable bond

When in 2017 farmers were attacked in Saki in the Atisbo local government area of Oyo state many discerning observers shrugged it off as just another in a series of attacks that had assumed the dimension of the norm while others survived, Shina Jaiyeola whose brother Jaiyeola Ayokunle has a farm in the area and Jelili an indigene of Shaki and a famer were not so lucky as they paid the supreme price.

Going farther north of Nigeria, people of the Agatu community in Benue state were also in the firing line of marauding herdsmen with some observers in that part of Nigeria positing that the rampage that led to the killing of hundreds of villagers and the sacking of villages and communities is of genocidal proportion and that the perpetrators may not be Nigerians.

Since the beginning of the year, the issue of security has again become a major sticking point between the government and most Nigerians with killings spread over most parts of Nigeria from Niger state to Zamfara to Kaduna and even the president’s own state of Katsina, the orgy of violence keeps getting bigger with the attendant loss of lives and property.

For security observers and most Nigerians, it is a major source of frustration that perpetrators of the unending circle of violence in most parts of the country seem to always get away with it creating an environment ripe for retaliation and attacks and counter attacks from aggrieved villages or people.

The question many have asked is what can be done at all levels to put an end to the soaring level of insecurity not only from herdsmen attacks but bandits who have made some states in the North western part of the country no go areas for people and the activities of kidnappers who have turned major highways to business centers where humans are abducted and exchanged for ransom without much repercussion in the form of arrests and prosecution.

While acknowledging the activities and successes of the Abba Kyari led Intelligence Response Team of the Nigerian police force who have been in the forefront of combatting kidnapping and violent crimes it still seems to be a drop in the ocean too little to make any appreciable impact.

With groups in the north led by Professor Ango Abdullahi, those in the south led by Dr Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and others up in arms against the government over its perceived lax handling of the issue of insecurity which may also lead to food shortages especially as attacks have continued in states with vast agriculture production output such as Oyo, Benue, Niger, Zamfar and Kebbi to mention just a few, is there a way out?

The recent conviction of Yunusa Yellow who abducted and had carnal knowledge of an underaged Ese Oruru from Delta state to Kano state is seen by many as a good first step in taking people to account for their crimes against people and the state.

Though his conviction was not without its controversies after a tweet by presidential aide Bashir Ahmad condemning the judgement promising to intervene to free Yunusa Yellow to much outrage from users of the social media platform in Nigeria.

It was according to many an indication of the allegation of nepotism and sectionalism leveled against the federal government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria as a nation does not lack adequate laws against most of the crimes committed with increasing regularity over the last few years but observers posit that until the government at all levels show the right level of political will without fear or favour let or hindrance, the orgy of violence will continue as a vicious cycle.

The belief is that if Tvay in Benue, Umaru in Katsina, Chukwudi in Owerri, Oghene in Warri and Abimbola in Osogbo Is sure that he will get justice from the judicial system and from law enforcement agencies who have been accused by several interest groups of complicity in violence, the level of insecurity, attacks and counter attacks will subside and people will always put issues relating to crimes in the hands of the authorities and stop taking the laws into their hands.

I sold bad product to Edo people in 2016 – Oshiomhole

A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , Adams Oshiomhole , has declared that he sold a bad product to Edo State people in 2016 .

He stated that he supported the governorship aspiration of Godwin Obaseki in 2016 to ensure the continuity of his projects and programmes.

Oshiomhole stated these on Sunday at the Government Reservation Area, Benin , while addressing members of the APC.

He said , “ Obaseki is MoU ( Memoranda of Understanding) governor , but Pastor Osagie Ize - Iyamu is a man of God, who will ensure good governance in Edo State from November 12 this year .

“ I have made my honest mistakes . Only God is perfect. I am now 68 years old . I have come to apologise for the mistake of supporting Obaseki in 2016 . I am in Edo State to repair my mistakes .

“ Obaseki has abused the trust of Edo people . With our permanent voter cards , we shall punish Obaseki on September 19 . Ize - Iyamu will not repeat the mistakes of Obaseki. Ize - Iyamu will take Edo State to the next level. ”

Earlier, Ize - Iyamu alleged that Obaseki had not done well in almost four years as governor of the state and had lost focus .

Meanwhile , Ize - Iyamu has received the blessing of the Enigies in the Benin Kingdom.

Akpabio names lawmakers on NDDC contracts’ list

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , Godswill Akpabio, has linked some members of the National Assembly to some contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission , The PUNCH has learnt .

Akpabio, however , did not state if the lawmakers were directly awarded the contracts or they nominated the projects under their Zonal Intervention Projects , also known as constituency projects.

The former Chairman , House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC, Mr Nicholas Mutu , who represents the Bomadi /Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State , is among those linked by the minister with contracts.

The minister listed Mutu ’ s name against 74 projects, including various emergency road projects in Delta , Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states .

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on February 3 , 2020 , arraigned Mutu before Justice Folashade Giwa - Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged abuse of office and fraud involving about N 320m .

Akpabio also linked the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs , Senator Peter Nwaoboshi ( Delta - North) , with 53 projects, which included emergency repairs of Asue Street , Owa Phase 2 ; ldumuogbe Road via Ojemaye ; Otolokpo College Road , Otolokpo ; and the Police lshu Ani Ukwu Road , Issele Uku .

Other lawmakers that Akpabio listed projects against are Senator Matthew Urhoghide ( Edo - South ) , six ; James Manager ( Delta - South ) , six ; Samuel Anyanwu ( Imo -West , 8 th Senate) , 19 ; and others simply identified as Ondo and Edo Reps .

The minister, however , did not provide the cost of the projects listed against the lawmakers’ names , while the cost of contracts given to non - lawmakers had costs of various projects attached to them .

Our correspondents also observed that contracts listed against the names of the lawmakers were not up to 60 per cent of the 266 on the list provided by Akpabio.

Non - National Assembly members are also on the list .

It was further observed that the minister copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Abubakar Malami ( SAN ) .

The House had on Thursday resolved to sue Akpabio for alleged perjury and defamation of the parliament .

Akpabio had on Monday, while appearing before the House Committee on the NDDC during an investigative hearing on the alleged illegal spending and mismanagement of funds , alleged that members of the National Assembly were awarded 60 per cent of contracts by the commission.

Ex-banker facing $153m Diezani loot trial testifies against Magu

A former Executive Director with First Bank of Nigeria Plc , Dauda Lawal , appeared before the Justice Ayo Salami - led presidential panel on Saturday to give evidence against the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , Ibrahim Magu .

Lawal is currently standing trial before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly receiving $ 25 m out of the $ 153m loot traced to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources , Diezani Alison- Madueke .

A source close to the panel said the former banker was invited as part of a probe into the investigative deficiencies of the EFCC under Magu .

He said Lawal was asked to testify without prejudice to his ongoing corruption trial .

It was learnt that while the former banker was giving his testimony , Magu walked into the venue at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa around 12 pm , three hours before he was scheduled to appear .

A top source said , “ Lawal appeared before the panel to clarify some allegations he had made in the past against the EFCC some of which had been reported to the Office of the Attorney - General of the Federation. This was without prejudice to his ongoing corruption trial .

“ However , Magu strolled in around 12 pm even though he was expected to arrive at 3 pm. The panel members were initially reluctant to let Magu witness the hearing but he pleaded and was permitted to do so . ”

Lawal , however , repeated the allegations he made against the EFCC in a counter -affidavit he filed before Justice Muslim Hassan of a Federal High Court in 2017 .

The EFCC had frozen Lawal ’ s accounts and applied for the permanent forfeiture of his funds which the ex - banker challenged .

In a counter - affidavit he deposed to which formed the basis for his invitation by the panel , Lawal said the EFCC detained him for 11 days in 2016 and promised to release him only on the condition that he return some funds .

On how he received the $ 25 m , Lawal said he received a call from a friend , Stanley Lawson, March 2015 to help collect the money , which he subsequently paid into an account provided for him .

“ I had no idea of the origin of the said funds and only acted in the course of normal banking business, ” he said .

The former banker said the EFCC allegedly compelled him to provide funds he never received.

Lawal said in the affidavit, “ Having been invited and subsequently detained in Lagos for 11 consecutive days and without access to members of my immediate family , the EFCC investigators kept suggesting and insisting that there was a shortfall of $ 40 m , which I had yet to account for .

“ They were alleging that I had in fact taken $ 65 m as opposed to the $ 25 m , which I stated that I had received. The EFCC investigators interrogating me made it clear that the only way that I could /would leave detention is if I made their suggested shortfall available to them .

“ Because I never had this EFCC invented $ 40 m to give , I had to use my personal connections to source for and raise about 50 per cent of the said amount while I was in detention . I managed to borrow some of the money from the bank where I am an executive director and surrendered it to the EFCC through my legal counsel and was eventually released from detention on May 20 , 2016 .

Covid-19 updates

555 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-156

Kano-65

Ogun-57

Plateau-54

Oyo-53

Benue-43

FCT-30

Ondo-18

Kaduna-16

Akwa Ibom-13

Gombe-13

Rivers-12

Ekiti-9

Osun-8

Cross River-3

Borno-2

Edo-2

Bayelsa-1

40,532 confirmed

17,374 discharged

858 deaths 

Tunisia interior minister named new PM

Tunisia ’ s interior minister Hichem Mechichi has been appointed to form the next government , the president ’ s office said , amid political tensions among major parties in the North African country .

The 46 - year - old lawyer succeeds Elyes Fakhfakh , who resigned as prime minister earlier this month — but Mechichi was not one of the names proposed by the ruling political parties to President Kais Saied .

In a statement following Saturday’ s announcement , Mechichi said he would “ work to form a government that meets the expectations of all Tunisians ” .

Tunisia has been praised as a rare success story for democratic transition after the Arab Spring regional uprisings sparked by its 2011 revolution .

But its leaders have struggled to meet the expectations of the Tunisian people and the already fragile economy has been battered by the closure of the country’ s borders because of the COVID - 19 pandemic .

The disease has claimed around 50 lives and infected more than 1 , 400 people in Tunisia .

As well as being interior minister in the outgoing government , Mechichi has been a counsellor to President Saied , handling legal matters . He has previously been chief of staff at the transport ministry and also served in the social affairs ministry .

He now has a month to form a government .

At that point his choice will be put to a parliamentary vote of confidence and will need an absolute majority to succeed . Failing that , parliament will be dissolved and new elections organised within three months.

– Political divisions –

In the last elections held in October the Islamist- inspired Ennahdha party came top but fell far short of a majority and eventually agreed to join a coalition government .

Fakhfakh ’ s resignation on July 15 after less than five months in office threatened fresh political deadlock in the nation as it struggles with the economic fallout of the pandemic .

And it came as a political row deepened with Ennahdha over allegations against Fakhfakh of conflicts of interest.

Relations between the 47 - year - old outgoing premier and Ennahdha have been strained since the October legislative elections . Fakhfakh stepped down the same day the party filed a no - confidence motion against him .

Ennahdha had initially nominated an independent for premier but he failed to win the support of parliament , leading the president to name former finance minister Fakhfakh for the post .

Faced with the prospect of fresh elections , Ennahdha eventually agreed to join the coalition government .

( AFP )

American talk show legend Philbin dies at 88

Regis Philbin, an award - winning fixture of American talk show culture , has died at the age of 88 , media reports said Saturday.

Philbin, a playful and self - deprecating New Yorker with a thick Bronx accent , died Friday of natural causes , People magazine reported, quoting a statement from the family .

Philbin was best known to many Americans as co - host of a daytime talk show that began in 1988 called “ Live ! With Regis and Kathie Lee . ”

Working with Kathie Lee Gifford and later with another co - host , Philbin appeared on the show for 23 years .

Part of his popular shtick was to spend a few minutes at the beginning of each show talking about banalities like where he had dinner the night before .

Philbin also hosted the wildly popular “ Who Wants to be a Millionaire ” game show , which ran from 1999 to 2002 .

He won Emmys as a talk show and game show host .

And he held the Guinness record for number of hours spent on television in America — about 17 , 000 , according to The New York Times .

In 2011 , as Philbin was preparing to leave his talk show , the Times paid tribute to him as someone who stood out on TV .

“ In a daytime landscape filled with bland , polished hosts and smarmy good cheer , Mr Philbin was crumpled , nasal and histrionic . He was a snaggletooth amid cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers , ” the paper said .

Among those remembering Philbin on Saturday was a fellow New Yorker , Donald Trump .

“ He was a fantastic person, and my friend . He kept telling me to run for President, ” the US president tweeted . “ Holds the record for ‘ most live television , ’ and he did it well . Regis , we love you . ”

South African trade minister contracts COVID-19

South Africa ’ s Trade Minister Ebrahim Patel on Saturday tested positive for COVID - 19 , the cabinet said , the fourth minister to contract the virus in Africa ’ s hardest - hit country .

Cabinet spokeswoman Phumla Williams said in a statement that Patel , 58 , received his results on Saturday.

“ Minister Patel is in good spirits and is in self - quarantine , and will continue to work from home , ” Williams said .

“ Those that have been in contact with the Minister are also in self - isolation and have been encouraged to get tested , ” she added .

Four ministers and several MPs have so far contracted coronavirus in South Africa , which has the highest numbers of diagnosed infections in Africa and ranks fifth in the world after the United States , Brazil , India and Russia.

On Monday, both Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi , 61 , and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe , 65 , were separately admitted to hospital with the virus .

The fourth is Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa- Nqakula , who has since recovered.

I switched off my phone after Naira Marley promised me N1m –Jude Chukwuka

There is no doubt that controversial singer , Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley , has a lot of fans and their numbers seem to be growing by the day . Despite his vulgar lyrics , the Opotoyi singer ’ s admirers are drawn from various walks of life .

However , many were surprised when a 56 -year - old actor , Jude Chukwuka , became an Internet sensation after posting video clips of himself singing along to one of Marley’ s songs titled , Mafo .

In an interview with Sunday Scoop , Chukwuka , who speaks Yoruba fluently , said , “ I enjoy singing and in recent times , Naira Marley has become my favourite artiste . It ’ s like I help my contemporaries to hear and understand what these young boys are doing. I don’ t know why the video of Mafo that I posted went viral . I had actually wanted to do another song but I changed my mind and that one went viral . I didn ’ t know it was going to spark such an interest globally and I’ m glad it did . I cannot say how long it took me to learn the lines because I must have heard the song over a hundred times . Every time I heard it , I picked one or two lines and in a short while , I started to sing along. ”

Recalling how he felt when he was informed that Naira Marley was ‘ looking ’ for him . He said , “ I really cannot explain how I felt when I was told that Naira Marley was looking for me online . I got over 500 calls . When I eventually answered a colleague ’ s call , he told me to go on Instagram that Naira Marley was looking for me. I then went online and saw so many messages. I didn ’ t even know how to feel at first . But to keep my sanity , I switched off my phone , so no one could reach me till I got home . ’’

Chukwuka also disagreed with people who believed that Marley ’ s lyrics encouraged wayward lifestyles . He said , “ Naira Marley’ s songs glorify the rot that our leaders allowed to fester . If as a result of ineptitude and nepotism , our leaders have turned society upside- down and somebody earns a living from glorifying the rot that their stupidity caused ; of course , they would fight that individual because that person shows their incompetence and inefficiencies . Some people think that ‘ Marlians’ are irresponsible but that is what the press has made people believe . If you connect the Marlian slogan with irresponsibility, what about our political parties? Are we saying that everybody in suits and ties are saint. All political parties have irresponsible followers too . It all depends on where one stands . Not all Malians are irresponsible . It is only those who are in government and those who do not want to accept the realities of society that consider Malians to represent irresponsibility. ”

Chukwuka also insisted that the lyrics of Naira Marley’ s songs were not too vulgar for an elderly actor like him to promote . He added , “ It depends on where one is standing . If you have your head in the clouds, you would say the lyrics are vulgar . But if you have your feet on the ground , you would realise that he sings about the realities of our society. I chose to disregard the messenger and listen to the message . In the process , I found that his lyrics are not vulgar . They are the realities we are struggling with in society. I believe those running the affairs of this nation should listen to what he ( Marley ) is saying .

“ The president of the country does not command as much following as Naira Marley does . As far as I’ m concerned , Marley has become a mouthpiece for pointing out the realities of society. But those in leadership don’ t want to hear those truths , so they would rather give the young man a bad name so his ‘ products ’ wouldn ’ t sell . ’’

Newspaper Headlines

SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES, 26/07/2020

Punch

Military chiefs got N238bn for weapons, others in two years –Report

601 repentant terrorists graduate, paid N20,000 each

Magu replacement: Senate seeks Nigerians’ input to amend EFCC Act

COVID-19: Death toll now 856 as cases hit 39,977

COVID-19: NAFDAC completes lab analysis of Madagascar drug

COVID-19: Poor Ghanaians to enjoy free electricity till 2021

Abuja-Kaduna train service resumes July 29 — Amaechi

Minister orders NIPOST to suspend new courier service fees

Student arrested for opening Jonathan parody account denied access to lawyers

NIESV president opposes FIRS duty on lease agreements

Police arrest boyfriend after lover dies of stomach ache

How policemen brutalised me, beat my mum — 22-year-old student

TUC to mobilise mass protest over NDDC graft, others

Buhari, Tinubu, Lawan, Saraki, APC govs mourn AbdulRazaq’s father

Buhari came into government without tested programmes – Yakasai

Poll: PDP considers Ondo deputy gov as Jegede’s running mate

You can’t be godfather in Edo, Wike, Tambuwal, Secondus tell Oshiomhole

Building collapses in Abuja, traps 10

Five family members feared dead in Abuja flood disaster

Carnage: Outrage as gunmen defy curfew, attack Southern Kaduna communities

I was disappointed by Achebe’s comment on my Nobel prize – Soyinka

(www.punchng.com)

The Nation

US Navy honours Nigerian-born officer for managing $45m  

Magu probe plus for Buhari’s anti-corruption policy – Malami  

NEDC N100b probe politically motivated, will fail – NEDA

First northern lawyer Abdul-Razak dies at 93, buried  

Hard times as private school owners, teachers groan under COVID-19 ‘vacation’

The church is growing despite lockdown, says Oyedepo 

Military graduates 601 repentant Boko Haram terrorists  

Block makers emerge first millionaires at Dangote consumer promo

No APC candidate yet for Lagos East Senatorial by-election 

Senate seat: Ikorodu makes bold moves in Lagos East 

Edo 2020: Ripples in APC, PDP over Oshiomhole’s homecoming

Edo 2020: 10 wounded as gunshots rock Obaseki campaign launch 

Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, others congratulate Oniru at 50

Ekiti redesigns curriculum, introduces ICT at primary education level 

Retired Army officers visit oldest enlisted soldier

Nigerian teen Miriam Kaka shines in global art competition  

(www.thenationonlineng.net)

Vanguard

Buhari applauds Nigerians in Diaspora’s development contribution

COVID-19: No one knows how life will be after pandemic — Osinbajo

Gbajabiamila condoles Kwara Governor over father’s death

Reps determined to cushion effects of COVID-19 — Gbajabiamila

Strike: Resident doctors extend ultimatum for 3 weeks

373 cadets graduate from Army Infantry School

DPR warns against circulation of substandard lubricant in Bauchi

N7.5bn grant: TETFund to involve private institutes, non-state entities on research – Bogoro

APC group tackles Makinde over N100bn bond

Edo Poll: Obaseki deserves second tenure – Okowa

Abuja-Kaduna Rail: El-Rufai says COVID-19 protocol not security an issue

Edo Govt condemns attacks on guests at Oba’s Palace

Former Ogun CJ, Delano, 85, is dead

Two-storey building collapses in Abuja, traps 10

Rainstorm kills 7, destroys several houses in Niger

Jilted man stabs self to death in Kano

(www.vanguardngr.com)

Stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will'. - David Copperfield

### Good morning

24 migrants feared drowned in Malaysia

A Rohingya migrant is feared to be the only survivor from a boat carrying at least two dozen asylum seekers that is believed to have run into difficulty off the Malaysian coast near Thailand , a coastguard official said Sunday.

Mohamad Zawawi Abdullah , coastguard chief for the northern states of Kedah and Perlis, said the 27 - year - old named Nor Hossain was detained by police after he swam to shore on the resort island of Langkawi .

“ Based on the information from the police, the illegal Rohingya migrant had jumped off the boat that had 24 other people and that he was the only one who managed to swim to the shore safely , ” Zawawi said .

A search and rescue operation had been launched, but another official told AFP that no bodies or survivors have been found .

It is not clear what happened to the boat .

Muslim - majority Malaysia is a favoured destination for Rohingya , who face persecution in their mostly Buddhist homeland of Myanmar , but authorities have in recent months been trying to stop them entering over coronavirus fears .

Many of the 700, 000 - plus Rohingya Muslims who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar three years ago have attempted to leave overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh ’ s Cox ’ s Bazar district on boats headed for Malaysia and neighbouring Indonesia .

Zawawi said two coastguard aircraft and two boats have been deployed to search the suspected area .

Malaysia has stepped up maritime patrols since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic in a bid to stop Rohingya boats from landing .

Although some have made it ashore many boats have been turned back , sparking anger from rights groups .

( AFP )

14 airports resume flight operations, says minister

The Federal Government has approved 14 airports to restart flight operations after months of closure due to lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic .

The Minister of Aviation , Hadi Sirka , announced this on Sunday morning , noting that the airports were authorised to resume domestic operations only as the date for international flights was yet to be announced.

The airports are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport , Lagos ; Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport , Abuja; Malam Aminu Kano International Airport , Kano; Port Harcourt International Airport , Omaguwa ; Sam Mbakwe Aiport , Owerri .

Others include Maiduguri Airport , Maiduguri ; Victor Attah Airport , Uyo ; Kaduna Airport , Kaduna ; Yola Airport , Yola ; Margaret Ekpo Airport , Calabar; Sultan Abubakar Aiport , Sokoto ; Birnin Kebbi Airport , Kebbi ; Yakubu Gowon Aiport , Jos; and Benin Aiport , Benin .

“ Glad to announce that the following airports are open for full domestic operations , hence ministerial approvals in and out of them is not required . This includes private and charter operations . We will keep you informed on the remainder airports in due course , please, ” Sirika tweeted .

Man arrested in France for killing wife

An American man has been arrested at Toulouse airport while trying to flee to Indonesia after allegedly killing his French wife whose dismembered remains were found by police , prosecutors said on Saturday.

The man has confessed to killing Laure Kruger , 52 , who taught French at a school in Jakarta , the prosecutors said . He is due to appear before a judge on Sunday .

Kruger ’ s LinkedIn profile states that she had been living in the Indonesian capital since 2015 and had earlier worked in Shanghai, Cairo and Hawaii .

The couple used to vacation in France and had a holiday home in the village of Peyriac - sur - Mer on the Atlantic coast in southern France.

Kruger ’ s father alerted police when the couple failed to visit him as planned before leaving for Indonesia .

The police found her luggage in the apartment and her dismembered remains in a rainwater drain nearby .

The man was arrested at the airport just before he was about to board the plane .

This latest murder brings the number of femicides in France this year to at least 40 , according to an AFP tally .

( AFP )

Police arrest boyfriend after lover dies of stomach ache

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man , Amosu Funso , over the death of his girlfriend , Precious Udochi , in Ogombo , Ajah area of the state .

Funso had gone to the Ogombo Police Division on July 18 to report that Udochi died after complaining of stomach pains and the police detained him .

Our correspondent learnt from a police report that Funso and Udochi were both live- in - lovers in Abraham Adesanya Estate , in the Ogombo area before the incident occurred .

The police report said Udochi ’ s corpse was found in the house and no mark of violence was observed on her body .

A police source said , “ On June 17 , his girlfriend who is living with him , one Udochi , returned from work at about 7 . 20 pm and complained to him that she was having a stomach ache . She started going to the toilet and later asked him to buy her food . After eating , she slept off. At midnight , she started vomiting .

“ On June 18 , at about 8 am , she was rushed to a private hospital in the Sangotedo area for treatment where the doctor confirmed her dead . She was brought back home . One of us , Inspector Lawrence Inaede , visited the scene of the crime for on - the - spot findings .

“ On arrival at the scene , the corpse of the woman was found on the floor . There was no mark of violence on her body . We took photographs of the corpse and the complainant was re- arrested . The corpse was taken to the Mainland Hospital Mortuary for an autopsy . ”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana , confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation .

13 killed in Vietnam bus crash

A high school reunion trip in Vietnam took a fatal turn on Sunday when a bus carrying the alumni crashed and flipped over at a bend on the highway , killing more than a dozen passengers .

The nearly 40 passengers on the bus were classmates from Dong Hoi High School who were travelling to visit the area in central Quang Binh province for the 30 th anniversary of their graduation .

But the driver lost control on a sharp turn on the highway, said state media .

At least 13 people were killed , and many more injured.

“ People on the coach said that when the coach was travelling down the slope, there were signs the brakes were broken, ” reported Tuoi Tre newspaper .

Images shared on news websites showed a bus on its side in a gutter by the asphalt road , with bystanders looking on as rescuers tended to the injured.

Travelling on Vietnam ’ s roads can be a hazardous affair , and World Health Organization says traffic accident injuries are the leading cause of death for those aged 15 - 29 .

Mixed reactions trail alleged directive to halt BBNaija

Controversy has continued to trail the reported order by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed , to the National Broadcasting Commission to shut down the Big Brother Naija reality television show .

The Acting Director - General of the NBC , Armstrong Idachaba , had allegedly told senior management members of the commission at a meeting during the week that he had been directed by the minister to shut down the show due to the coronavirus pandemic .

MultiChoice Limited had subsequently replied the NBC stating the measures taken to forestall any violation of the COVID - 19 protocols advised by the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 , adding that the Lagos State Safety Commission gave approval for the show .

Meanwhile , Nigerians on Twitter have expressed diverse views on the matter .

@ VirginSearcher tweeted , “ I’ m not his fan /APC fan but this one , I support it because it ’ s a very useless show . How can one sit at home every day watching people seated in a house doing rubbish and waiting to cash out if successful . What is my gain ? It is a very hopeless show . Pure waste of time . ”

@ NwokwuIzunna said , “ Nigerian youths . None of them is agitating for school reopening. They are here crying foul over the cancellation of that rubbish show that adds nothing to us . There’ s no talent hunt there . ”

@ diiphillipo wrote , “ A group of people that are suffering the problems brought upon them by the people who wants to ban BBN. Scores are dying in Southern Kaduna and SARS is making mincemeat of Southern youths . The man with whom the buck stops rather went to Mali. ”

Osun festival holds in Ife amid COVID-19 pandemic

The annual Osun Festival was held in the ancient town of Ile - Ife in Osun State on Saturday.

This happened at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has forced a number of states to ban traditional festivities so as to maintain social distancing and curb the spread of the lethal virus that has killed over 800 Nigerians in the last five months .

the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland , Oba ( Dr ) Sikiru Adetona , recently called off this year ’ s edition of the annual Ojude Oba Festival scheduled to hold August 2 , 2020 .

The Ojude Oba Festival , arguably one of the biggest culture fiestas in Nigeria which takes place two days after Eid - el - Kabir , was cancelled due to the need to avoid large gatherings, said a statement by the coordinator of the festival and Baagbimo of Ijebu , Chief Fassy Yusuf.

Similarly , the Ekiti State COVID - 19 Response Task Force last week banned the celebrations of all traditional festival for the same reason .

However , the Osun Festival which is notable for the celebration of water was held on Saturday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria .

The Ooni of Ife , Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi , who received Osun devotees in his palace during the celebration , said this year ’ s celebration was ‘ restricted ’ due to the pandemic .

Niger rainstorm death toll rises to 10

Three more corpses have been recovered from the scenes of the rainstorm that wrecked havoc in Rafin Sanyi in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State , bringing the death toll to ten.

The Chairman of the LGA , Abdullahi Maje , disclosed this in an update on Saturday.

Seven dead bodies had earlier been recovered following the torrential rains which occurred on Friday night in the area .

Maje said the search operation was being conducted by a combined team of the Nigeria Police Force , the Niger State Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , among others .

He said the three corpses had already been deposited at the Sabon Wuse General Hospital morgue .

“ The search operation is ongoing and I appeal to members of the public , especially those residing around Unguwar Gwari, Rafin Sanyi , to support and cooperate with the search team for the success of the exercise, ” he said .

He warned that the local government would not tolerate the erection of structures on waterways as the practice was contributing to the flooding of the area .

Ondo poll: Adelegan emerges ADC gov candidate

Dapo Adelegan has emerged the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Ondo State .

The Chairman , Electoral Matters of ADC , Anayo Arinze , described the party ’ s primary as peaceful while appreciating four aspirants who stepped down for Adelegan to fly the party ’ s flag in the forthcoming October 10 governorship election in the state .

This was contained in a statement signed by the party ’ s National Publicity Secretary , Yemi Kolapo .

Arinze said , “ Today , history is being made in Ondo State with the victory of Prince Dapo Adelegan . It is clear that from all we have seen here , ADC is going to emerge victorious in the forthcoming poll . The people are tired of the ruling party ; they are also clearly tired of the Peoples Democratic Party .

“ We are a credible alternative . And we are presenting one of their very best sons to lead the state out of its present state of socio - economic neglect . Surely , we shall come out victorious . ”

The governorship candidate , who is from Owo , Ondo North Senatorial District , thanked party members and leaders for their support and assured the party of victory in the forthcoming poll , stressing that ADC would defeat the ruling party .

I was disappointed by Achebe’s comment on my Nobel prize – Soyinka

Nobel laureate , Prof Wole Soyinka , has said he was disappointed by a comment made by the late renowned novelist , Prof Chinua Achebe , shortly after he ( Soyinka ) won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 .

In a conversation with an American - based Nigerian novelist , Okey Ndibe , which was aired on Channels Television’ s Book Club , Soyinka said he considered the particular remark by Achebe uncalled for and disappointing .

Ndibe had , during the conversation with Soyinka , recalled how Achebe , at one time , said , “ The Nobel Prize did not make one the Asiwaju of African Literature . ”

He then asked Soyinka how he took that statement at the time .

Responding , Soyinka said , “ The subject was not even literature when he ( Achebe ) made that statement and so I was disappointed that he created a nexus between my normal sociopolitical life and my normal way of articulating an opinion .

“ It was almost like because I won the Nobel Prize , I have no right to offer , to do what I used to do before all my life . I responded to it , even though I wanted to make light of it . I was a little bit disappointed and I didn ’ t see the necessity ; that particular subject , which was under contention , didn ’ t relate to literature . So, it was like, oh , am I now to carry this burden for the rest of my life? That people will think I am doing what I used to do before simply because I now have a Nobel Prize . ”

Asked what he felt about how literary enthusiasts often segregate themselves into either Soyinka camp or Achebe camp , Soyinka said it boiled down to “ ignorance ” .

“ Everybody feels they have a right to pronounce authoritatively , not only on the products but on the producers of the products and their positions in society, ” he said .

The playwright said he would never speak about the works of other professionals , such as architects , musicians , doctors , lawyers . etc, the way people “ pontificate on literature . ”

Earlier, when asked what his experience had been after winning the Nobel prize , Soyinka said , “ It has bred demands , expectations ; it has bred even envy in some areas – one can cope with that – antagonism where totally unnecessary , uncalled for . But that ’ s part of human life; any kind of achievement does that . 

Gunmen kill seven in Southern Kaduna Again

Gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia on Thursday night reportedly invaded Agwala Magayaki of Doka Avong in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State , killing seven persons , including an 85 - year - old man . Some locals have been declared missing.

Several houses were also razed during the attack .

This was just as the Kaduna State Governor , Mallam Nasir el - Rufai , earlier on Thursday said banditry attacks were occurring everywhere in the North - West states of the country. He, however , said the attacks in Southern Kaduna were laced with ethnic and religious colourations .

Giving the details of the latest attacks , a source told Saturday PUNCH on Friday that apart from those killed , scores were injured during the attack which took place at about 8 pm when the villagers were sleeping.

The deceased had since been given mass burial while those who sustained varying degrees of injuries were admitted to the Idon General Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment .

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen attacked the villagers with guns and machetes .

This was fourth in the series of attacks launched by suspected Fulani militia on Southern Kaduna communities in Kaura and Zango - Kataf local government areas of the state .

Recently , gunmen invaded Kukum - Daji village in Kaura Local Government Area at about 10 pm and killed no fewer than 21 people at a wedding , mostly youths .

In another attack that took place last Monday in Gora Gan in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area , 10 people were killed , while on Wednesday , five people were killed in an attack on Kizachi - Chawai community , Kauru Local Government Area.

Meanwhile , the Kaduna State Police Command has yet to confirm the fresh attacks .

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige , did not take his calls or reply to a text message sent by our correspondent .

Meanwhile , the Peoples Democratic Party minority caucus of the Kaduna State House of Assembly has said both the federal and state governments are not doing enough to stop the killings in the southern part of the state .

Emmanuel Kantiok, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Kaduna on Friday , said the citizens of Southern Kaduna whose lives were cut short deserved the President’ s empathy.

“ How would the government explain the killings in Zangon Kataf during a state government - imposed 24 - hour curfew?” he asked , adding that it was high time the government deployed security operatives to unmasked the perpetrators of the killings .

He said , “ Our attention has been drawn to the Presidency ’ s press statement dated July 21 , 2020 , on the spate of attacks and killings in Southern Kaduna which was signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity .

“ The Presidency must accept that it has failed woefully in its primary duty of the protection of lives and property . Sadly , it is also failing to demonstrate empathy as a basic instinct required in the art of governance , especially in troubled times .

“ The Presidency ’ s statement is most unfortunate under a democratic dispensation that should hold and fulfil the promise of how inviolable and sacred human life is .

“ Garba Shehu and his co - travellers need not be reminded that the first duty of every President is the security and protection of the citizens of the country , irrespective of their inclination . It is , indeed , the whole duty of the President . ”

Also , a former member of the House of Representatives , Sunday Marshall - Katung , said the Presidency should accept its failure on the killings and destruction of property in Southern Kaduna .