In this part of the world, Nigeria particularly, a week cannot go by without dramatic occurrences that would leave one in utter awe. Below is a quick rundown of some significant happenings that graced the week:
“HASTEN EXECUTION OF KANO SINGER” SHARI’AH COUNCIL CHARGES GANDUJE
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has asked Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, to as a matter of urgency ensure the execution of Shariff Yahaya Shariff, accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad, so as to serve as a deterrent to others.
SCSN in a statement issued on Tuesday also enjoined the Governor to ignore right activities asking for pardon for the culprit.
Blasphemy: Shari’ah Council Urges Ganduje to Execute Kano Singer
ISWAP TERRORISTS ABDUCT HUNDREDS IN NIGERIAN TOWN
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), late Tuesday, took over Kukawa in the Lake Chad region, seizing people who had just returned to their homes after spending months in displacement camps.
In the words of Babakura Kolo, head of a local militia group, “The terrorists attacked the town in 22 trucks and engaged soldiers guarding the town in a fierce battle,”
The decade-long jihadist conflict has displaced tens of millions from their homes, rendering them hopeless and hapless.
KWARA COVID-19 PATIENT WRITES WAEC IN ISOLATION CENTRE
A 16-year-old female COVID-19 patient is currently sitting her senior secondary school certificate examination at the Kwara State COVID-19/Infectious Disease Centre in Ilorin, the state capital.
As relayed on the official twitter handle of the Kwara state government, @followKWSG, the patient is a final year Senior Secondary School student who was admitted on Tuesday. As at the time of filling this report, she has been declared asymptomatic and fit to participate in the on-going examination.
However, for confidentiality, the name and school of the candidate remain undisclosed.
Kwara arranges WAEC exam for 16-year-old COVID-19 patient
A 16-year-old female COVID-19 patient is sitting her senior secondary school certificate examination at the Kwara State COVID-19/Infectious Disease Centre in Ilorin, the state capital, an official said on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/5JKy8ZAoLO— State of Harmony (@KwaraGovt) August 19, 2020
TRANSITIONING IN BARCA GETS INTERESTING AFTER HUMMILIATING DEFEAT
Barcelona have confirmed the sacking of head coach Quique Setien following the club’s humiliation in the Champions League to Bayern Munich. The German giants thrashed Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter-finals, leaving them to finish the season without winning any major trophy.
However, not only Setien was relieved of his duties, the team’s director of football Eric Abidal was first to be fired just hours after the match ended.
Resultantly, Netherlands coach and former club legend, Ronald Koeman, has replaced Setien as the team’s head coach.
🔵🔴 Don’t miss out on @RonaldKoeman’s presentation as the new head coach of Barça only on Barça TV+!
📹 Exclusive footage of his first day
⏰ Tune in from 16:55 (CEST)— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 19, 2020
EXPOSED: IMO SCHOOLS WHERE STUDENTS PAY FOR WAEC EXPO
Investigations have revealed that some public secondary schools in Imo State are reportedly charging students N2, 000 per subject to provide them with answers to questions in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination.
Findings also showed that school owners in the state had earlier met with students before the commencement of the examination, where they informed them that they would provide answers to the questions if each student paid N2, 000 per subject. The money gotten, as investigation revealed, would be given to each invigilator monitoring the examination.
EFCC ARRESTS AIRMAN, 26 OTHERS FOR INTERNET FRAUD IN LAGOS
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos has arrested a serving military man, Lance Corporal Ajayi Kayode and 26 others for alleged internet fraud in the Lekki axis of the Southwestern state.
Kayode, with service number NAF18/34732, was arrested in his military attire during an early morning raid at a disclosed location in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, on Saturday, August 15, 2020. Items recovered from the suspects include exotic cars, diamond jewelries, and expensive gadgets. As revealed, the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.
EFCC Arrests Soldier, 26 Others For Internet Fraud In Lagos pic.twitter.com/bE15haS2Hp
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) August 17, 2020
BOY ARRESTED FOR CREATING GEJ’S PARODY ACCOUNT RELEASED, NARRATES EXPERIENCES
Babatunde Olusola, a final year student of Chemical Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, has narrated how he was detained at the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abuja for creating a parody Twitter account in the name of former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
In his confession, he explained that he was not only arrested and detained, but was also denied access to a lawyer while he stayed in detention for close to three months.
As a little contribution of the Nigerian netizens, the hashtag #FreeShola trended on Twitter for days after his arrest.
MALI’S PRESIDENT RESIGNS AFTER SUCCESSFUL COUP BY SOLDIERS
After a military coup that led to his arrest, the President of Mali has announced his immediate resignation and has also dissolved the government and parliament.
On Tuesday, a group of soldiers led by Col Malick Diaw – deputy head of the Kati camp – and another commander, Gen Sadio Camara stormed the former President’s residence and arrested him and his prime minister – who were both there.
Reasons for the military take-over were leveled to the corruption and mismanagement of the economy, permeating the purview of the government’s administration.
ECOWAS CONDEMNS UNREST IN MALI, PROMISES TO RETALIATE
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday condemned the military uprising in Mali and pledged a range of retaliatory actions, including financial sanctions.
In a statement, the ECOWAS alleged that its members would close land and air borders to Mali and pledged to demand sanctions against “all the putschists and their partners and collaborators”.
Keita, 75, as at the time of filling this report, is currently being reported to be held by rebel soldiers outside of the capital.
ON MAMMAN DAURA, SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION AND LONDON
Following the news that engrossed the social media days back on President Buhari nephew’s purported illness, an aide and close associate of Mamman Daura, Aminu Balele Kurfi, has said that the nephew to President travelled to London for just a medical check-up.
While countering the claims that Mallam Daura was flown to London in a private jet after developing serious medical complications suspected to be COVID-19-related, he said Mallam Daura often travels for medical checks with his long-term doctors based in the United Kingdom.
Although international travels are yet to be allowed, it is unclear why an exemption was made for Mallam Daura to fly out of the country for routine medical tests. This however has generated a lot of controversies amongst Nigerians as many believe the special prerogative may have likely occurred because of his relationship with President Buhari.
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