Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Alpha Maidawa

After Trump tweet debate, Facebook to review policies on posts
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg has pledged to review the social network’s policies, amid heated debate over how social media should handle posts by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The company will review how it handles threats of state use of force and posts that could influence voter participation, the social network’s chief executive said in a post on Facebook.
It will also look into alternatives to simply removing a post or leaving it as it stands.
“I know many of you think we should have labeled the President’s posts in some way last week,” he wrote in a message to employees, but added that he worries such an approach risks leading Facebook to “editorialise on content we don’t like even if it doesn’t violate our policies.”
“So I think we need to proceed very carefully,” he wrote.
Zuckerberg has come under pressure from the public and his own employees after Twitter placed a “public interest notice” on a Trump post for violating the platform’s rules “about glorifying violence,” a move not mirrored by Facebook.
In the tweet, which was also visible on his Facebook page, Trump slammed demonstrators protesting the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis as “THUGS” and appeared to promote a violent response by saying, “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
Zuckerberg said last week that the post did not violate Facebook’s guidelines, even if he personally disapproved.
His public position is that internet platforms, including Facebook, should not be “arbiters of truth.”
Facebook largely exempts politicians’ posts from fact checks. (dpa/NAN)
June 6, 2020
NCDC announces 328 new COVID-19 cases, total infections now 11,844
The Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 328 new cases of the COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 11, 844.
The NCDC announced this on Friday through it’s official Twitter handle, saying that as at June 5, 2020, 328 new confirmed cases and 10 deaths were recorded in the country.
No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.
The health agency said that till date, 11844 cases had been confirmed, 7815 active cases, 3696 cases have been treated and discharged and 333 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
It stated that the 328 new cases were reported from 14 states- Lagos(121), FCT(70),Bauchi(25), Rivers(18), Oyo(16), Kaduna(15), Gombe(14), Edo(13),Ogun(13), Jigawa(8), Enugu(6), Kano(5), Osun(2), Ondo(2).
The NCDC said that there is no cure yet for COVID-19, but, its supportive management of cases involve: management of symptoms , management of pre-existing conditions, Supplemental oxygen therapy, treatment of bacterial infection, and ensuring patients that were well-nourished and hydrated.
The NCDC, however, called on Nigerians not to pull down their mask down their chin.
“You can speak, cough or sneeze inside your mask, then wash or dispose properly,” it said.
One of the ways Africa Center for Disease Control is supporting the COVID-19 response in Nigeria was by deploying epidemiologists and volunteers to work with national and state level staff in carrying out outbreak investigation, contact tracing and other response activities. (NAN)
June 6, 2020
AfDB Probe: Group tells Board of Governors not to compromise
The Nigerian Youth Parliament (NYP) has called on the Board of Governors, African Development Bank (AfDB), to ensure no compromise and bias in the probe of AfDB President, Dr Akinwumi Adesina.
Ms Mary Torunana, Chairman, Committee on Banking and Finance, Nigerian Youth Parliament at a news briefing, said the United States had requested the board to conduct an independent investigation on the 16-point allegations.
According to Torunana, NYP stands against any attempt to impune Adesina’s integrity and is sure he’ll be exonerated.
She noted that under the leadership of Dr Adesina, the bank had recorded tremendous successes, adding that he is, therefore, deserving of the support of African Leaders and youth organisations.
“The US has been successful in infuencing the decision of the Board of Governors to conduct an independent investigation, which is alien to the bank’s practices.
“We wish to remind the Board of Governors that the promoters of this independent investigation are not just attempting to frustrate the re-election bid of Dr Adesina but to undermine the independence of Africa, Africans and Africa’s development as a whole.
“We call on the Board of Governors to ensure that the independent probe is unbiased and not compromised as we are sure that Adesina will be exonerated off all the allegations.
“The NYP stands against any attempt to impune Dr Adesina’s integrity and his re-election efforts.
“He has greatly upturned the fortunes of the bank, thus, bringing about unprecedented growth not just to the bank but to Africa as a whole.
“These achievements are no small feat; therefore, he deserves all the support from African leaders, Youth organisations and the like.”
Torunana commended President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Olusegun Obasanjo for supporting and reaching out to other African leaders to support Dr Adesina.
She also urged African Youths to be visionary to build a united Africa that leads.
For his part, Mr Sultan Daniju, the Vice Chairman, Humanitarian Committee, Nigerian Youth Parliament, urged African Youths to stand up for a united Africa.
Daniju said that the parliament would abide by the decision of the board of Governors of AfDB to either carry out or not carry out an independent investigation of the president of AfDB.
He also said that whatever the outcome, NYP would continue to support Adesina, adding that, so far, he has the support of 51 African Leaders.
“For the United states, who is the second largest investor in the African development bank, single handedly calling for an independent investigation after the ethics committee of AfDB had cleared the president of the bank, is uncalled for.
“The US has only done that because African leaders sold out over the years; that is why African youths must rise up and understand all these and stand and fight for a united Africa.
“As a Parliament, and as young persons, we believe in what is right.
“So, if the board of Governors of the bank deem it fit, in their own wisdom, to bow to the pressure and order for an investigative hearing, we would abide by it.
“But whatever the outcome, he is a Nigerian; we’ll give him all the support we have to give.
“Part of the allegation is that he favours Nigerians; if he is favouring Nigerians over other African nations, how come 51 African countries are supporting him right now,” Daniju asked.
The Vice Chairman said other African leaders would not be supporting him for another term, if the allegations were true. (NAN)
June 6, 2020
AfDB approves $288.5m for Nigeria COVID-19 Response Support Programme
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved 288.5 million dollars loan to help Nigeria tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and mitigate its impact on people and businesses.
The bank’s Communications and External Relations Department made this known in a statement on Saturday.
It explained that the loan would bolster the government’s plans to improve surveillance and response to COVID-19 emergencies, ease the impact on workers and businesses, as well as strengthen the social protection system.
The bank said Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and the continent’s largest oil producer, was facing twin crises of a health epidemic caused by COVID-19, and an economic crunch largely occasioned by a global oil price plunge.
The bank added that the loan was the Bank’s initial response to help mitigate the slump in oil prices and its impact on the national economy.
The statement quoted Mr Ebrima Faal, Senior Director of the Bank for Nigeria as saying that about 40.1 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty line of 1.90 dollars per day, and it was feared that the fall in household income during the pandemic would result in wealth deterioration for both the formal and informal sector workers.
“The proposed programme will ensure that the fiscal position and the economy are sufficiently supported to weather the COVID-19 shocks, thereby limiting its potential adverse impact on livelihoods and the economy more generally.
“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, Nigeria’s economy was projected to grow by 2.9 per cent of GDP in 2020 and further expand by 3.3 per cent in 2021.
“But with the advent of the pandemic and the slump in crude prices, the economy is expected to shrink by between 4.4 per cent under a conservative baseline scenario, and 7.2 per cent should the pandemic persist to end-2020.
“Beyond the country’s immediate economic recovery needs, the Bank and other development partners will dialogue with the government on proposals for medium-term structural reforms to diversify and boost domestic revenues away from the oil sector”.
The Bank said it had instituted strong fiduciary measures to monitor the use of COVID-19 funds, and will maintain dialogue, particularly with the Office of the Auditor General in Nigeria, to ensure transparency and accountability. (NAN)
June 6, 2020
NNPC alerts on fake diesel, urges motorists to avoid use
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has raised an alarm over prevalent low grade and contaminated AGO, otherwise called diesel, offered at discounted prices in parts of the Country.
The warning is contained in a report by NNPC Retail Limited Managing Director, Sir Billy Okoye, on Friday advising motorists to be wary of the off-spec products.
Okoye stated that the warning became necessary because the low grade, contaminated diesel was harmful to machines and the environment.
He said that NNPC Retail Limited as a market leader considered it incumbent upon it to alert the public on the subject.
He assured consumers that NNPC Retail Limited was dealing only in premium, high-quality products in the interest of Nigerian motorists and users.
He urged consumers to patronise the company’s stations where the quality of their products was assured.
As a deregulated product, diesel is also imported by other major and independent marketers in the Country.
Meanwhile, the Corporation says it is taking measures to bring down cost of crude oil production to 10 dollars per barrel or below.
The Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ventures and Business Development, Mr Roland Ewubare, said this in a statement issued by the corporation in Abuja, on Friday.
The statement said that Ewubare spoke as a guest speaker at a TV programme in Abuja.
He explained that terrain peculiarity was an important factor in determining cost, arguing that issues such as pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, among others, were some of the factors peculiar to the Nigeria terrain that increased crude oil production cost in the country.
He, however, stated that NNPC was looking very closely at such variable as logistics, security and transportation with a view to reducing cost of production to 10 dollars and below per barrel.
He disclosed that much had been done over the years in the area of reducing contracting cycle which used to be a major factor responsible for high cost of production.
He added that the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) achieved a six-month contracting cycle under him as Group General Manager.
Amidst speculations of non-compliance by some countries with the production cuts agreed upon by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its non-member allies, he affirmed that Nigeria was in full compliance with the agreed output cuts.
He noted that reports including Nigeria on the list of non-compliant countries were not true.
Ewubare said that although Nigeria’s total production capacity was 2.3 million barrels per day (mbpd), it was currently producing only about 1.4 mbpd in compliance with the OPEC+ production quota.
He said that what made up the little extra over the 1.4 mbpd figure being bandied around for Nigeria was condensate which is usually not computed as part of production in OPEC quota.
“There’s some confusion in the market around the parameters for the production cuts.
“Nigeria has a full production capacity of about 2.3 mbpd. We are currently producing between 1.6 mbpd and 1.7mbpd.
“Our OPEC quota as a result of the cuts is about 1.4 mbpd. Condensate is not included in the computation of the cut numbers.
“So what we have is 1.4 mbpd of crude oil. The little you see above 1.4 mbpd is made up of condensate which does not count as part of the basis for assessing our OPEC quota,” he said.
It will be recalled that NNPC Group Managing Director, Malam Mele Kyari, in a recent interview said that NNPC was working assiduously to bring down the cost of crude oil production to not more than 10 dollars per barrel by 2021.(NAN)
June 6, 2020
I petitioned a full scale rape investigation be carried out on me -Uti Nwachukwu
Following a rape allegation against him, Nigerian model and actor, Uti Nwachukwu, petitioned the Nigeria Police Force demanding a full-scale rape investigation be carried out on him.
This is coming after an unknown social media user took to micro blogging platform, Twitter to claim that Uti raped her in August 2017.
She also shared a screenshot, which claimed that the reality TV star apologized for the act.
Uti Nwachukwu, had yesterday taken to social media to deny the allegation, claiming that the so called screenshots were doctored.
“I reject this characterisation and deny this baseless allegation in the strongest terms possible.
Furthermore I am urging this faceless victim to report this purported crime to the nearest police station
I am willing to pay for all the fees you incur in reporting this alleged crime
if after 3 days u fail to disclose yourself or report the crime, I shall proceed to report the case and the blogs and other internet host spreading this fake news to the inspector general of police for cyber terrorism and Libel.
I am appalled and disgusted that blogs are too lazy to properly investigate baseless claims before putting up badly scripted and edited posts on their pages all for numbers they get from the back and forth drama. Shame.
How do you put up posts from a faceless twitter page created months ago?
You put up fabricated and photoshopped chats and tweets doctored by these mindless trolls without proper investigation? .
Once again dear faceless victim, 3 days and your time starts now.” He wrote.
Giving an update on the case, Uti revealed that he has petitioned the police, to demand a full-scale investigation on him.
‘PETITION FILED 🙏🏾
This will be my final words on this issue until my alleged accuser avails herself to the police’ He wrote on Twitter.
See the letter below…
Uti however took to Instagram and wrote;
“I have today, June 5th 2020 filed a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding a full-scale investigation.
I don’t even know where to begin this from, or what words to use Because I’m angry, hurt and utterly disgusted; but these are feelings I’m now too afraid to express without being attacked for.
I’m appalled that blogs now resort to reporting allegations made anonymously online, without according people the respect of a proper investigation.
How do I defend myself against someone I can neither identify, nor address and still remain calm. •
As A STRONG ADVOCATE AGAINST RAPE, my immediate response is always to listen to the victim and let their voice be heard because too many have been forced into silence.
But what I never considered, and perhaps now I should, was how to do this if you’re the accused; and that’s where I find myself now. •
My position on rape REMAINS THE SAME, that it is a violent human rights scourge that no human being must ever suffer. •
And for this very reason, I refuse to be a part of anyone setting women’s voices back when they’re finally finding the courage to speak and are slowly being heard.
Which is why I’m dedicating myself to getting to the bottom of this, by pursuing these allegations to THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW; and I expect my accuser to do the same.
Although I’m hurt, I recognize that this is bigger than me.
My innocence when proven will hopefully deter others from destroying the many years of advocacy towards ending rape in our society.”
June 6, 2020
Actress Sylvia Oluchi accuses movie director, Lancelot Imaseun, of sexual molestation
Nollywood actress Sylvia Oluchi has accused movie director, Lancelot Imasuen, of molesting her sexually during a film shoot in 2008.
Spilling the information in a whatsApp group chat, filmic, Sylvia wrote: “When we were filming Bent Arrows back in 2008 in Abuja. You told me to come to your room in the hotel after shoot at night (we were all camped in the same hotel). You made some moves, when I refused, you physically pinned me to the bed and shoved your tongue down my mouth while squeezing my boobs.”
She also stated that her tears forced the veteran director to change his mind.
The actress also confirmed the accusation in a telephone conversation, stating that she was not the only one as others too have suffered similar fate.
Reacting to the allegation, Imasuen said he would not comment openly on the matter. “It is still a private matter so I am not in a position to make a statement. The group chat where the accusation was made is a private one and the group’s admins have set up a committee to investigate the allegation.
“So, while I am surprised as anybody else-it is from 13 years ago, I have been advised to be quiet. It is an industry thing for now and cannot be made public.”
The director of Invasion 1897 is the latest to be accused of such as calls for the protection of girls and women from sexual harassment and brutality gain traction in the social media.
It should be recalled that popular Nigerian singer, Oladapo Daniel Oyebanjo professionally known as Dbanj has been accused of rape.
Media personality, Benjamin Ese accused him of raping a lady he met at an event in 2018.
This is coming after the singer in reaction to the recent rape and murder cases in the country took to his Instagram page to share a few words on the issue.
‘#NoMeansNo We Need to Raise Our Sons right and Teach them to love and Respect Women .We Need Justice for Our GIRLS…Say NO to Rape, Racism, tribalism. Let us stop living in FEAR and HATE ,and start living in LOVE .???” He wrote
June 6, 2020
You no get sense- Nigerians insult Ubi Franklin for announcing he has Davido’s new phone number
Nigerians on Instagram came hard on Nigerian music artist manager and the founder of record label Made Men Music Group, Ubi Frankilin, after he eportedly announced that he has Davido’s new number.
Ubi was said to have screenshot Davido’s new phone number on his phone and it was seen that he saved the new number as “Davido Banana Island New” . Ubi decided to flaunt this online for people to see that he has the new number.
Recall that few days ago, Davido announced that he had changed his phone number, so as to take care of himself well. He wrote;
“If you can’t reach me, I will contact you. All my life, I have put people before me, i think it’s time to actually live my life and take care of myself. I have changed my number, I needed some cleansing to do, love you all”
Apparently, Ubi Franklin is one of the very few Davido wants to keep in-touch with in his new private life.
See how Nigerians are reacting to Ubi Franklin’s announcement;
sugarlipsjojo wrote “This guy makes all short people look bad.”
ifedolapoooo wrote “Does this even make sense FFS”
leeleedavid wrote “Broda ode”
_____omoba wrote “This guy mumu just too much use am go collect money for bank”
g_i_a_17 wrote “This man doesn’t have sense”
ewatomilola wrote “Lmaoo😂😂😂 wtf! This guy smell of classless! Get a hold of yourself man! This wasn’t necessary!”
June 5, 2020
AfDB board supports Adesina, agrees on independent review of ethics committee report
The bureau of the board of governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) says it approves of the investigation carried out by its ethics committee into whistleblower allegations levelled against Akinwumi Adesina, president of the bank.
In a communique signed by Niale Kaba, chairperson of the bureau of the board of governors, the bureau said it has agreed to authorise an independent review of the committee’s report in the interest of due process and the “need to carry every governor along in resolving it”.
“The bureau reiterates that it agrees that the ethics committee of the board of directors performed its role on this matter in accordance with the applicable rule under resolution B/BG/2008/11 of the board of governors,” the communique read
“The independent review shall be conducted by a neutral high calibre individual with unquestionable experience, high international reputation and integrity within a short time period of not more than two to four weeks maximum, taking the bank group’s electoral calendar into account.
The US had demanded an independent probe of the allegations after the ethics committee cleared Adesina.
In a letter signed by Steven Mnuchin, its treasury secretary, the US government said it had ” deep reservations about the integrity of the committee’s process”.
The AfDB bureau also said it has agreed to an “independent comprehensive review of the implementation of the bank group’s whistle-blowing and complaints handling policy” within a three to six month period after the review of the ethics committee report.
This, it said, would ensure that the whistleblower policy is “properly implemented and revising it where necessary to avoid situations of this nature in the future”.
Several stakeholders, including 15 ex-presidents of African countries, have voiced their support for Adesina.
President Muhammadu Buhari has also assured Adesina of his support.
Adesina has denied all the allegations levelled against him.
June 5, 2020
Cristiano Ronaldo becomes first soccer billionaire
Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has emerged the first billionaire footballer.
The 35-year-old Juventus star is the third athlete after Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather to hit the $1 billion earnings mark while still actively competing, according to Forbes.
Forbes via its Twitter handle said Ronaldo earned $105 million in the past year (2019), making him number 4 on the 2020 Forbes list.
Ronaldo raked in £85million last year from his wages and endorsement deals, pushing him into becoming a billionaire.
His capital for the past year was second only to tennis superstar, Roger Federer, in the athletic world and it made him the number one in the game of football.
June 5, 2020