Lucid's blog

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has announced the approval of Pfizer-BionTech COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in Nigeria. The announcement was made at the agency headquarters in Lagos on Friday by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye. According to her, the approval given was not a full one but it would be in effect within the period of getting people vaccinated and gathering data about the adverse effects following immunisation. The NAFDAC boss also revealed that the agency relied on a more mature regulatory body for its approval, adding that that the agency was at liberty to review its stance since the World Health Organisation had given emergency use listing. Adeyeye said, “The purpose of the press briefing is to announce that NAFDAC has just approved Pfizer-BionTech vaccines for possible use in Nigeria. “They were reviewed carefully by the NAFDAC staff COVID-19 vaccine committee to make sure that the science behind the development is wel...

Worried by the insecurity across the country, President Buhari summoned his service chiefs for a meeting at the statehouse Abuja today April 30. In attendance were the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the service chiefs.

A 23-year-old woman identified as Anne has been declared wanted for the alleged murder of her boyfriend in Gitaru, Kiambu County, Kenya. It was gathered lady also know as Dolly, allegedly stabbed Kelvin Kamami four times and ran away with his phone. A message shared by the Directorates of Criminal investigations (DCI) said the incident happened on Wednesday, April 28. One Nyambura Kamami, believed to be a family member of the deceased, alleged that Anne stabbed Kelvin in the throat. He urged anyone with useful information on her whereabouts to contact the police. According to reports, detectives in Gitaru have launched a manhunt of the suspect.

Manchester United chief, Ed Woodward, has apologised to fans for his role in the European Super League and told them the club no longer has plans to go ahead with the breakaway competition. This comes days after United chairman Joel Glazer apologised to supporters following the ESL's collapse, and Woodward, who is stepping down from his position has now apologised. It comes ahead of planned protests at Old Trafford before Sunday's match against Liverpool. Speaking at fans' forum on Friday morning to discuss the doomed ESL breakaway, Ed Woodward said: 'I know that you will feel angry and let down by the lack of consultation and by the way the proposal failed to recognise the vital principle of open competition. Proper discussion would have helped us avoid the mistake we made. 'While there would have been a substantial increase in solidarity payments from the leading clubs to the rest of the pyramid across Europe, we fully accept that there were fundamental elements w...

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Team DSVT says it is actively following the Baba Ijesha defilement case. Baba Ijesha, a Nollywood actor has been accused of molesting a minor. In a statement released this afternoon, DSVT says it is following up on the case and has absolute confidence in the criminal justice system in the state. Read the statement below This is to inform members of the public that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Team is actively following up on the Baba Ijesha’s case, we are also in direct contact with the complainant with a view to providing the necessary support. We confirm that the duplicate case file has been forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. For avoidance of doubt, the following allegations are being considered: (1) Sexual Assault by Penetration- S 261 of the Criminal law of Lagos State, 2015 punishable by Life imprisonment (2) Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration-S262 of the Criminal law , punish...

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has berated preachers he accused of giving negatives prophecies and encouraging their members to hate the country and its leadership. In his new article titled  “Nigeria will fly again: We can believe Kumuyi”, the presidential spokesperson eulogized General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi for his comforting words especially with the nation’s current woes. Adesina accused other preachers of provoking their members to hate, and further added that "judgment will truly begin from the household of God." Read the article below...... NIGERIA WILL FLY AGAIN: WE CAN BELIEVE KUMUYI You rarely hear his voice in public when it comes to secular or controversial issues.A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. He just faces the work he is doing, and how very well he does it. Gently. But early this week, Pastor William Folorunsho ...

Senator Ali Ndume has alleged that the bulk of arms and ammunition used by insurgents, were stolen from the armed forces and other security agencies in the country. Speaking on Thursday April 29 during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army who represents Borno South further revealed that the terrorists also get weapons from nations like Libya and Chad. Ndume said; “Most of the arms and ammunition they use are the ones they succeed in carting away from the Nigerian soldiers and other armed forces or security agencies. “I know they have some small arms coming from up there like Libya, Chad, and all that but the bulk of the equipment they use are the ones they succeeded in stealing from our armed forces.”

A Nigerian singer known as Ogene Malaysia has been reportedly killed by unknown men in Awka, the Anambra state capital. The deceased, real name, Uchenna Odoh Paul, was reportedly shot dead by assailants suspected to be cultists in Amansea area of Awka North Local Government Area of the state on Friday, April 30. Details surrounding the incident are still sketchy at the moment. Meanwhile, friends have taken to Facebook to mourn him. Pasqual Oformata, wrote: "RIP Ogene Malaysia. Awka has turned to something else. Shot dead at Awka" "Uchenna odoh Paul ( Nwanayoeze) A.k.a ( ogene Malaysia) we ur classmates are expecting u on December to our end of the party , uchenna y so soon brother but only God's knows why, UC may ur gentle soul rest in peace" another wrote. "This life no balance at all, is too hard for me to say goodbye to my main man, my childhood friend, rest in peace Uchenaa rest in peace ogene Malaysia." Chidebere Don Kris wrote.

Omoni. Photo Credit: Tshegofatso Ngobeni A Nigerian national, Augustine Omini Obono, has been sentenced to three life terms for sexually exploiting a 12-year-old girl in South Africa. Obono, 44, was sentenced for human trafficking, rape, statutory rape, and the sexual exploitation of a minor girl in the Gauteng High Court in Benoni on Thursday, April 29. Obono, who has been in custody since 2016 following his arrest, was also slapped with seven years for keeping the victim in a brothel and an additional three years for kidnapping the minor. According to the police, on 3 September 2016, the minor was at a recreational park in Derdepoort when she met a woman, who asked her to accompany her to a flat in Sunnyside, Pretoria. The woman told the girl she would meet Obono, who was unknown to the victim at the time. The woman promised the minor that she would be given transport money to go to Mamelodi the following morning. When they arrived at the flat, the woman handed the minor over to Obon...

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a notorious thief and ex-convict and recovered 273 mobile phones worth N15m from him. Spokesperson of the command, SP Gambo Isah, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday April 30, said the suspect, Ibrahim Lawal, specialises in house breaking and theft of motorcycles. "On 22/04/2021 at about 07:00hrs, based on tip off, the Command succeeded in arresting one Ibrahim Lawal, alias ‘ABBA KALA’, ‘M’, aged 23yrs of Fegi Quarters, Daura LGA of Katsina state, a notorious thief and ex-convict, a habitual criminal, who specializes in House breaking and theft of motorcycles," Gambo stated. "Nemesis caught up with the suspect when he trespassed into the house of one Kamalu Ibrahim, ‘M’, aged 33yrs of Shagari Low cost, Daura, and broke into his motor vehicle, BMW 3 Series, with registration number JW 01 DRA and stole away two hundred and seventy-three handsets valued fifteen million Naira (N15, 000, 000) "In the course of investi...

Regent of the Zulu nation and wife of South Africa’s recently deceased Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini, Her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu has reportedly passed on. Mangosuthu Buthelezi, traditional prime minister to the Zulu monarch who did not mention the cause of her death said she died "unexpectedly" on Thursday April 29. The statement read; “It is with the deepest shock and distress that the Royal Family announces the unexpected passing of Her Majesty Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu, Regent of the Zulu Nation. “This has taken us by surprise and left us utterly bereft,” he added without mentioning the cause of death." The sudden death of Dlamini-Zulu, 65, comes days after she was reportedly hospitalised just weeks after her husband's burial. Zwelithini passed away on March 12, aged 72 after half a century on the throne, following a battle with diabetes-related illness. Although the title of Zulu King does not bestow executive power, the charismat...

A suspected drug trafficker, Chibogu Ernest Obiora, intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, has excreted 97 wraps of cocaine worth N360m. Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, who disclosed this in a statement ion Friday, April 30, said Obiora, 47, was arrested during inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline. "Obiora was subsequently put under observation during which he has so far excreted 97 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine with a total weight of 1.55kilogramme and a street value of N360million," the statement reads. "He was arrested at about 1:16pm on Sunday 25th April, 2021 during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airline. He had arrived Lagos on board the airline from Entebbe, Uganda via Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia," According to the Commander, MMIA Command of the anti-drug law enforcement agency, Ahmadu Garba, Obiora was int...

A yet-to-be-identified man lost his life while several others sustained injuries after a commercial bus driving along the Apapa-Oshodi expressway in Lagos state, tumbled several times today April 30. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, a commercial bus with registration number HAL 81 XA, tumbled on the ExpressWay due to a burst tyre as a result of over-speeding. Unfortunately, one male adult lost his life, while two others sustained various degrees of injuries and were administered first aid treatment. The body of the male victim was bagged and handed over to State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU for further transfer to the morgue. See more photos from the scene of the accident below:

Chioma who turned a year older today April 30, has shared a video which captured moment her son Ifeanyi playfully photobombed her birthday photoshoot.    Chioma who shares a son with superstar singer Davido, attached an "assistant birthday boy" caption to the video she shared on her Instastory.    Watch the video below...

About 65 communities in Niger State have reportedly reached a peace deal with Boko Haram after their communities were invaded by the insurgents.    Punch  reported that the agreement was reached, few days after the terror group displaced more than 5,000 villagers from their homes in some local government areas in the state.   According to the publication, communities in Gurmana, Manta, Bassa and Kukoki distrists in the Shiroro area of the state negotiated with the terrorists for a peace deal after reaching an agreement to pay certain amount of money.   It was also learnt that they have purchased at least six motorcycles worth N500,000 for the terrorists.   Yusuf Sani, the co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth said;    “This is what most of the communities are resorting to. By my records now, communities that have signed the peace deal with the terrorists are more than 40. “While some communities have already sealed up deals for ceasefire with the terrorists and are currently reaping t...

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has alleged that most of the problems that has led to insecurity in the country are politically motivated.    Akpabio made the claim while speaking at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday April 29.    He said;    “I think most of the problems are politically motivated.  “So, we must use our binoculars to be able to look and identify the sponsors of the insecurity we are witnessing in the country. “What is happening now is not Nigeria; this is unNigeria. We must do everything possible, even through advice, to make sure that Nigeria remains united. “We have never, in the history of this nation, witnessed where people in uniform are targeted for elimination. “That will show you that we have infiltrators in our midst, the security of our neighbouring countries must also remain a priority. ”   Insisting that now is not the time for blame game, Akpabio said he was at the secretariat to meet with the party’s leadership and to offe...

Six people narrowly escaped death after two vehicles collided on Dada Estate Road in Osogbo, Osun state.   The accident happened on Friday morning, April 30, according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).   The FRSC spokesperson in the state, Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, in a statement said the incident occurred at about 12.45 a.m.   Ogungbemi explained that the six passengers escaped when a Toyota Camry car with registration number AAB53AJ collided with a mini Suzuki bus (Korepo) with registration number SGB914XA.   She said: "Six passengers were involved in the accident leading to only two persons sustaining severe injuries.   "The accident occurred due to lack of patience by the drivers and also total disobedient to the Road Traffic Act."   According to her, the two injured persons have been taken to the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) for treatment.   Ogungbemi appealed to motorists and other road users to abide by road safety regulations and shun anything ca...

The Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, Lagos state chapter, has suspended their 23-day old strike. The workers had joined their national body to embark on the strike action to demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary. After series of meetings with the state government, the workers have agreed to call off their strike and resume work. Their resumption followed a directive by the Administrative Department of the Lagos State Judiciary. Although all departments of the state judiciary have opened, the courts are yet to commence sitting.

One of the four close friends who went missing in Kenya has been found dead ten days after they mysteriously disappeared. Jack Anyango,37, Elijah Obuong, 35, Benjamin Amache Imbai, 30, and Brian Oduor,36, vanished into thing air after sharing a lunch of nyama choma (roasted meat) and drinks at a local pub in Kitengela on April 19,2021. Their car, a white Toyota Mark X, was found andandoned at a parking lot about 500 metres from the the club the following day. The body of Elijah Obuong was found in a morgue in Murang’a County on Thursday, April 29. It was identified by the deceased’s younger brother Michael Amollo at around 10:40am, who said the body had no visible injuries. Authorities in the county told the family and members of the press that the body was spotted by sand harvesters near Mukungai River along the Murang’a-Iyego-Kangema road on April 20. On the day they went missing, the men were spotted arriving at the joint where they enjoyed their meal and drinks. They soon left the ...

The Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has denied media reports that the state government has seized the money donated to viral amputee hawker, Mary Daniel. A report by the Nation alleged that the state government withheld Mary's money after finding out the single mother ''lied'' about her condition. Nigerians took to social media on Wednesday night April 28 to demand that the state government release the funds to the lady. PM News reports that during an interview with Staf FM today April 29, Omotoso said that the government had no plans to deny Daniel of her N25 million donation. According to him, what the government did was to ensure that she was not molested and safe to do whatever she intended to do with the money raised for her. According to Omotoso, Mary is free to set up her dream supermarket store in Lagos State since it was in the state that fortune smiled on her.

The victim The Abia State Police Command has launched manhunt for a fleeing gateman after a widow was brutally murdered in Umuahia. The victim, Mrs Queeneth Alozie, a retired nurse from the Federal Medical Centre FMC Umuahia, was allegedly slaughtered on Sunday morning, April 25, by yet-to be identified assailants. Until her death, Mrs Alozie was the wife of a late Dr. Alozie from Isingwu Umuahia, the owner of the popular Obioma Hospital at School Road Umuahia. She was living alone in their mansion opposite the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia, BCA as the children are all based abroad. It was gathered that the slain widow had recently employed the fleeing gateman from her maternal home in Mbaise. According to reports, the older security man returned from church on that fateful day and attempted to enter the compound but the gate was locked from behind. "I called his (gateman’s) phone number many times and his line was switched off. I then called that of my madam, there was also no...

A heartbreaking video shows the crew of the doomed Indonesian military submarine singing on board just weeks before the craft sank. The clip shows some of the 53 sailors on the vessel smiling as sang the popular Indonesian hit "Sampai Jumpa" on his guitar. The song title translates as "goodbye" or "until we meet again". Only weeks after the beautiful scene was filmed, the KRI Nanggala-402 sank to the seabed, killing all 53 aboard. The video was released by Indonesian military chiefs as more parts from the submarine were retrieved, including an anchor and fluorescent orange safety suits for emergencies. The discovery came a day after the navy first confirmed it found parts of the vessel and declared that it had sunk, effectively ending any chance of finding survivors. An international search and rescue effort involving aircraft and specialised naval vessels had raced against the clock to find the submarine in case it was still intact and before oxygen ran o...

Senator Mohammed Sani Musa has said that impeaching President Buhari because of the deplorable state of security in the country will only throw the country into more crisis. Musa who represents Niger East in the Senate, said this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, April 27. According to him, this is not the time for a motion seeking the impeachment of President Buhari. When asked why he and his colleagues have not moved to remove the President from office following the alarming rate of insecurity in the country, Musa said; “You and I know what impeachment is all about. It’s another crisis into another crisis. Why do we need that now? What we need is solution. We need this country to come back to where we were in terms of peace. I will rather prefer a situation where all the operations of government is directed at security. Anything we are going to do in this country, should be towards tackling insecurity. We are not safe. No leader, from councillor to the president, ...

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has reiterated the need for Nigeria to get support to win the fight against insurgency. The Borno state who spoke to newsmen after meeting President Buhari yesterday April 26, recalled how soldiers were killed after a Brigade headquarters in Borno state was attacked by insurgents. Zulum described Boko Haram's attack in Damasak and Geidam as pathetic and also stated that it is his responsibility to tell President Buhari the truth. He said; ' “In Borno, particularly, Brigade headquarters was attacked, many soldiers, men and officers of the Nigerian Army were killed. “Let me use this opportunity to extend my condolences to the families of the deceased, may God, in His infinite mercy, forgive them. “I think it is my own responsibility to come and say the truth to Mr President. “Llet him know what is going on in the entire Northeast sub-region. “I think there is a need for us to get support for us to succeed in this war against insurgents. It’s...

National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to come together to help those in power tackle the security challenges witnessed in the country. The former Governor of Lagos state who addressed journalists after meeting President Buhari at the state house on Monday April 26, stated that every nation will go through curves and difficult times. Tinubu further maintained that there is no President who will want his country in chaos or its citizens exposed to banditry and danger. He said; “The best way is what we are doing; coming together to reduce banditry, to move for unity and be able to bring a better Nigeria to the people. The welfare of our people is extremely important. And yes, every nation will go through these curves and difficult times. How we communicate it to the people, what are the areas to help make it easier for people to bear, those are ideas on how to be able to change the leadership of the country. “There is no president who ...

Many Internally Displaced Persons have fled their camp following the brutal murder of 10 persons by suspected Fulani herdsmen. LIB reported that the armed herdsmen attacked Abagena community housing Internally Displaced Persons in Makurdi Local Area of Benue State on Monday, April 26. One Mfa Mdooyongo, who visited the camp shared photos of some of the IDPs fleeing, adding that he asked them their destination but got no answer. "Re-displacing the internally Displaced by militant Fulani herdsmen. I asked some, "where to" They had no answer." he wrote. Mdooyongo also shared photos of himself with the IDPs who stayed back in the camp.

Governor Nyesom Wike has imposed a nighttime curfew at all exit and entry points of the state, few days after gunmen killed security personnel in some parts of Rivers state. Wike in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday April 27,  said no vehicle will be allowed to enter into or travel out of Rivers State from 8pm to 6am every day, beginning from tomorrow April 28 until further notice. The Governor who said that the killers of the three Customs officials, five soldiers, and an unspecified number of police officers between Saturday and Sunday are people from outside the state, said the curfew decision is aimed at curbing the increasing rate of insecurity in the state. He pleaded for understanding from residents of the state as an investigation to arrest those behind the act is being carried out.

Chris Weidman has undergone successful surgery after breaking his leg at UFC 261 on Saturday, April 24. The former middleweight champion suffered the horrific injury just 17 seconds into his clash with Uriah Hall after throwing the first kick. As soon as the kick landed, Weidman’s leg was immediately injured and he fell down to the canvas in agonizing pain as medical personnel rushed to help him. The bout was immediately waved off as Weidman, 36, fell to the mat in agony. Omg UFC fighter Chris Weidman breaks his leg horrifically on the first kick of the fight. #UFC261 pic.twitter.com/U4UdhRWloh — Mildly Depressed Lakers Fan (@OprahSideClark) April 25, 2021 The American UFC star was soon carried out of the ring on a stretcher and transported to a local hospital. He underwent surgery on Sunday and later posted an update on his Instagram. “The pain is pretty bad,” Weidman said. “I think it’s like 3.30 in the morning. They’re trying to get me some more pain meds now. “I know Uriah Hall was...