Football / Sports

Cristiano Ronaldo re-signs for Manchester United from Juventus

Man Utd announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo on Friday; Premier League club will pay €15m (£12.9m) plus a further €8m (£6.9m) in add-ons for the Portugal captain, who completed a medical in Lisbon over the weekend.

United announced they had reached an agreement with Juventus for the 36-year-old forward to return to Old Trafford on Friday.

The Premier League club will pay €15m (£12.9m) plus a further €8m (£6.9m) in add-ons for the Portugal captain, who completed a medical in Lisbon over the weekend.

Ronaldo scored 118 goals in 292 games for United between 2003 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups.

“Manchester United is a club that has always had a special place in my heart, and I have been overwhelmed by all the messages I have received since the announcement on Friday,” Ronaldo said.

“I cannot wait to play at Old Trafford in front of a full stadium and see all the fans again. I’m looking forward to joining up with the team after the international games, and I hope we have a very successful season ahead.”

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who played with Ronaldo during his previous spell at United, added: “You run out of words to describe Cristiano.…

Entertainment / Music / News

‘Love is not for everyone’ – Peruzzi

Nigerian singer Peruzzi has explained to his fans and Nigerians why some people may never find love. The music star made this know via his Instagram Stories on Sunday, August 29, 2021.

“Love isn’t for everyone. Some of us gon find love. Some of us gon be single. Some of us were made for cruise and vibes. Don’t kill yourself for what would’ve also killed you,” he wrote.

The singer has never been romantically linked to anyone in recent times.

However, the last time he made news with a lady was when UK-based singer, Daffy Blanco accused him of sexual assault and fraud.

She called out the music star for defrauding her to the tune of N15M and trying to have his way with her.

 

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Entertainment / Music / News

‘Power’ star Rotimi talks about relationship with Vanessa Mdee, says she made him see the tunnel vision

Hollywood actor and singer Rotimi has revealed how his relationship with his now-fiancee, Vanessa Mdee.

The ‘Power’ star made this known during a chat with Angie Martinez Show on Power 105.1.

“Being engaged feels like a mixture of everything. I was tired of being in the streets. I had a good time…but like I got tired of it and she just literally made me have tunnel vision. I never had that,” he said.

“I was always just moving. But that was just like slow down, this is serious. You need to respect it. Six days after we met, we went through our phones and deleted any other love interests that were there before.”

Rotimi proposed to Mdee back in December 2020 at a very colorful ceremony.

They made their relationship public back in 2019.

The ‘Power’ actor hinted to everyone about their relationship after he posted a photo of himself and Mdee all loved up.

Interestingly, after the photo went viral, Mdee confirmed their relationship during an interview.

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: Uti Nwachukwu claims Maria was exploited by organizers

Popular media personality Uti Nwachukwu has hinted on a conspiracy leading to the shocking eviction of ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemate Maria Benjamin. “This babe was milked dry! Made a wild card! The only week she was HOH she couldn’t do anything with it! She executed the secret task perfectly! No immunity reward! Before nominations she was punished heavily and the HOH was told they couldn’t save her! And now she’s out SHOCKER,” Nwachukwu tweeted.

As expected, Nwachukwu’s tweet sparked major reaction from supporters and non-supporters of the evicted housemate.

“It was an intentional act and that’s why biggie delayed giving Maria her Abeg Naira reward till this afternoon. He knew she wasn’t going to use it. He gave it to her to fulfil all righteousness. Mtchewwwwwwww,” a fan tweeted. Maria came in third place in the revealed bottom four polls with 13.73% votes from fans of the show.

Despite what organizers insist is a verifiable voting process, Maria’s eviction came as a shocker especially as she appeared to be one of the strongest contenders for the N90 million prize.

Recall Maria was nominated alongside Pere, Sammie, Queen, JMK and Cross in last week’s nominations. For the best part of the week, Maria grumbled about being nominated by housemates despite having had a fair advantage from the wild card veto nominations to winning Head of House.

The housemate, however, earned a strike for microphone infringement with weighty punishments including the stripping of immunity for two weeks.

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Boxing / News

Jake Paul defeats Tyron Woodley via split decision to extend winning streak in his toughest fight yet

YouTuber-turned-boxer stays undefeated in his fourth fight but is unable to get the knockout for the first time; Jake Paul came through adversity when he took a big right hand from Tyron Woodley. The YouTuber-turned-boxer faced real adversity for the first time since becoming a boxer, taking a solid right hand which rocked him against the ropes, but the referee did not score a knock-down against him. His controversial crossover into boxing remains undefeated in a fourth fight despite not finding a knockout for the first time. Paul had not previously been to the end of the second round in any of his previous fights but it was quickly evident that Woodley, a former UFC champion albeit making his boxing debut, would not go down as quickly. Paul was forced to display more of his skills over a longer period for the first time, and he did land a counter left hook then an uppercut in an impressive third round. Paul’s only major concern came in the fourth when a right hand clubbed against the side of his head and staggered him, and it seemed he was only kept on his feet by the middle rope.

The judges scored the fight 77-75, 75-77, 78-74 to the social media sensation who was fighting in his home city. His mother was already celebrating his victory in the ring.

“He has been boxing, striking, for 20 years. I’ve been doing it for three years,” said Paul on BT Sport Box Office.

“It was tougher than I expected. He is a tough opponent. He put up a good fight.

“He hit me with one real shot in the whole fight.”

He could next fight Tommy Fury, who beat Anthony Taylor on the undercard.

‘Get a tattoo and we will rematch!”

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Entertainment / Music / News

Legendary singer Sir Victor Uwaifo is dead

Nigerian legendary singer Sir Victor Uwaifo has died at the age of 80.

According to The Nation, the music legend died on Saturday, August 28, 2021. A source close to the family says he passed away after a brief illness. He was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series and Akwete music. He recorded under the name Victor Uwaifo and His TItibitis.

He is recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, artist, worldwide with a B.A Honors (first-class valedictorian), Masters degree and Ph.D. in Architectural Sculpture, (University of Benin, Nigeria)

Until his death, he was a professor at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Benin, Benin – City.

Uwaifo was a one time Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Edo state.

May his gentle soul rest in peace

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Alexx Ekubo bags doctorate degree days after failed engagement

Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has bagged a doctorate degree from the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Geston University in Benin Republic.

The movie star took to his Instagram page on Sunday, August 29, 2021, where he shared photos from the ceremony.

“Introducing, Dr Alexx Ekubo. Thanks to the governing council of the Institut Supérieur de Communication et de Geston (ISCG UNIVERSITY) for conferring on me Doctorate (Honorary) Degree in Arts & Culture,” he wrote.

He joins other celebrities including Peter Okoye, Mike Ezuruonye and Kaffy that have bagged doctorate degrees from higher institutions in Benin Republic. The actor’s doctorate is coming days after his former fiance, Fancy Acholonu called off their engagement.

“Hey guys, I am writing to inform you all officially that I have ended my relationship and engagement and I have called off the wedding with Alexx Ekubo,” part of her statement read.

Acholonu’s statement came barely 24 hours after it was revealed that their relationship had collapsed.

Ekubo proposed to Acholonu in May 2021.

The couple got engaged in Los Angeles, United States of America.

They were billed to walk down the aisle in November.

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Entertainment / News

‘My family problem is nobody’s business’ – Paul Okoye

Nigerian singer Paul Okoye has advised those poking into his family affairs to desist from doing so.

The music star who is currently going through a messy divorce made this known during a chat with OAP Do2tun.

“Let the Okoye family just have the peace that I think they are having now. I hate waking up anytime and just see people saying things you know,” he said. “Whatever that happened is just a thing of choice and one thing you need to do is to try and respect people that wake up one day and say they don’t want to do anymore, okay.”

 

Okoye recently sent millions of fans and Nigerians shocked after the news of his marriage collapse broke the Internet.

His now-estranged wife, Anita Okoye filed for the dissolution of their marriage. She also demanded that he pay $15,000 (N7.8M) monthly support.

Anita first sparked divorce rumors in April when it was reported that she relocated with their three children to the United States of America.

 

 

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija: Where are all the past winners?

The Big Brother Naija show has continued this year with the Shine Ya Eye edition.

Stars are expected to break out as usual from this edition, with the winner set to walk away with N90m.

There are still many weeks to go in this edition of Big Brother Naija, but as we continued to watch how things go, we want to recap the past winners of this great show.

In this piece, we throw back to all the past winners and where they are now.

Cinematographer/movie/TV series director

The first edition of the reality TV show was won by Katung Aduwak and had Gideon Okeke and Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as housemates.

After winning the first edition of Big Brother Nigeria, Aduwak decided to acquire more training in filmmaking and production.

He returned to Nigeria to start working on music videos and TV series.

A few years ago, he had an accident that almost claimed his life but he survived and after treatment, he returned to work.

He’s one of the most prolific directors in Nigeria with his hands on some of the series and TV shows on Africa Magic.

Artist/entertainer

 

The show held in South Africa this time with the the theme, ‘See Gobbe’. The franchise had housemates like Bisola, Kemen, TBoss, and Efe, who went on to win the edition.

Efe endeared himself to Nigerians for identifying with the famous city of Warri despite living in Jos and tales of his humble beginnings.

He won the season to take home the cash prize of N25m.

After the show, Efe decided to pursue a career in entertainment with music as his forte. He has since worked with top music acts that include Olamide, Iceprince and BOJ.

Efe is still a budding music act and yet to break even.

Pilot

After a successful second edition, the third edition also held in South Africa with the theme, Double Wahala.

The edition

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija 2021: JMK, Sammie & Maria have been evicted

The week’s eviction show got off to a quick start with little room for chit-chatting with the housemates. JMK was sadly the first housemate to be called up for eviction as according to show host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Big Brother wanted to rattle the housemates.

The next housemate to exit the game was Sammie shortly after Ebuka’s twist to announce Queen had been saved for the week.

In another surprising twist, Ebuka announced Maria as the third and last housemate to be evicted from the game. Going by fan reaction, the housemate appeared to have garnered a loyal following over the past weeks hence her shocking exit.

Housemates saved for the week are Pere, Cross and Queen.

 

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BBNaija / Entertainment / News

BBNaija’s Niyi spends N3.4M at a nightclub in Lagos

Former housemate of Nigeria’s most popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, Niyi, may already be solidifying his status as a ‘Lagos Big Boy.’

The reality TV star over the weekend was at a popular nightclub in Lagos where he partied with friends and fans.

Let’s just say the University of Benin-trained engineer came with a blank cheque as the drinks kept on coming in their trays and numbers.

At the end of the evening, the reality TV star paid a whopping N3.4M for drinks!

Niyi was one of the housemates from the sixth season of the reality TV show.

He was evicted from the reality TV show on the second week of the show.

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Foreign / News / politics

FG hails Akinbiyi on appointment as first Nigerian Commissioner in Australia

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, has congratulated Abiola Akinbiyi on her recent appointment as the first Nigerian Community Representative Commissioner of the Victorian Multicultural Commission in Australia.

Akinbiyi’s appointment was announced alongside others by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Hon. Ros Spence.

Spence is also the Premier of Victoria of the Australian Labour Party.

Each Commissioner is recognized for their skills and life experience championing cultural and religious diversity across Victoria. In a congratulatory message, the NIDCOM boss said Akinbiyi’s appointment has proved her leadership prowess and passion towards women and youth empowerment.

Dabiri-Erewa urged her not to relent in her service to humanity but remain focused and strive to achieve more in the service of mankind.

Akinbiyi, a community leader and advocate, an award winning entrepreneur and also a Woman and Youth mentor, holds a Bachelor degree in pure and applied mathematics from Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomoso, and also holds a B.Sc in Nursing.

She is also a graduate of African Leadership Development Programs (Leadership Victoria), where she was nominated for Women in Leadership and Entrepreneur of the year 2018 by African Media Australia, winner of 2018 Business and Entrepreneurship (Afro Shine Award), also by African Media Australia.

Akinbiyi, nee Sarumoh of Ibadan, Oyo State, has served in many developmental committees and associations, a mentor to many African youths with multiple successful outcome.

She has also been privileged to speak in different community events that helps to empower African youth and the newly arrived migrants in Australia.

A registered nurse, nurse educator, an IT professional and an entrepreneur with a passion for community development and cultural diversity who believes in positive Integrations and unity, irrespective of race, social status, ethnicity, religion or gender.

She is happily married to Dr. Akinsola Akinbiyi, a high profile consultant psychiatrist in Australia, and the marriage is blessed with lovely children.…

News / Security

Sit-at-home: Be at your duty post or be fired, Umahi warns workers

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has directed all civil and public servants to report to work on Monday despite the sit-at-home order issued by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

IPOB had fixed Monday every week for its sit-at-home protest.

Umahi gave the directive in a statement issued to reporters on Sunday by Dr Kenneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Coordinating Commissioner.

According to him, whosoever failed to report to his duty post stands to lose his job. “Similarly, any shop or bank that failed to open for business on Monday stands the risk of losing the right to operate business or banking operations in the state. “The general public is by this announcement advised to go about their normal businesses without fear.

“Security agencies have been directed to patrol 24 hours in all corners of the state. All concerned are to take note and adhere strictly to this government directive,” Umahi stated.…

Football / Sports

UCL draw: Lionel Messi, PSG to face Man City in group stage; Bayern vs. Barcelona

Manchester City have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain in group stages of the 2021-22 Champions League, setting up a possible showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sources have told ESPN that Man City are closing in on a deal for Ronaldo, while Messi will be embarking on his first Champions League campaign away from Barcelona after joining PSG earlier this month.

Man City beat PSG 4-1 on aggregate to reach last season’s final, which they lost 1-0 to Chelsea at the Estadio do Dragao in Portugal. RB Leipzig and Club Brugge were also drawn in Group A.

Meanwhile, Barcelona will face Bayern Munich in Group E. It will be their first meeting since Bayern smashed Barca 8-2 in the semifinals in August 2020.

Holders Chelsea will play Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg and Malmo in Group H, which will see striker Romelu Lukaku make an early return to Italy having made a summer switch to Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United were drawn against Villarreal in Group F in a rematch of last season’s Europa League final, which Unai Emery’s side won on penalties.

Liverpool will return to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium to face Atletico Madrid in Group B, the site where the English side won the Champions League in 2019. Atletico knocked Liverpool out in the round of 16 the following season.

AC Milan, the second-most successful team in the history of the competition with seven wins, will also play in Group B as they make their return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014.

This season’s final will take place at the Krestovsky Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 28.

Chelsea midfielder Jorginho won the best male player of the year award ahead of teammate N’Golo Kante and Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne. Barcelona’s Alexia Putellas beat out teammates Jennifer Hermoso and Lieke Martens to win the women’s award.…

Entertainment / News

Kim Kardashian reportedly plans to keep ‘West’ last name after divorce

American reality TV star Kim Kardashian has revealed that she won’t be changing her last name from ‘West’ after her divorce from Kanye West.

According to TMZ, the mother of four will be retaining the name once the divorce proceedings are over.

The report says she feels it’s important for her to keep the same last name as her 4 children and there are no plans to change North, Psalm, Chicago and Saint‘s last names, either.

 

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Entertainment / Movies / Music

YouTube Shorts Fund offers creators a chance to earn & build growing content businesses

The fund will be distributed to thousands of eligible creators each month as a bonus payment, based on their content’s performance in the previous month. Creators can receive up to $10,000 based on viewership and engagement of their Shorts content. To qualify, channels must meet the minimum eligibility requirements refreshed each month to give other creators the opportunity to receive a reward for their creative and unique Shorts.

The Shorts Fund is the first step in building a monetization model for Shorts on YouTube and is a chance for creators to earn and build their growing businesses as the world focuses on economic recovery.

Across the world, Shorts creators have already attracted millions of subscribers via their Shorts-only channels. Moreover, Nigerians are showing a growing interest in this new short-form video experience, as seen in the top 10 most viewed YouTube Shorts videos watched by Nigerians below.

  1. Best Oddly Satisfying Video for Stress Relief
  2. Will this work where you live?
  3. Electric car drivers be like…
  4. RONALDO Copied Khaby Lame
  5. This is what happens when you forget to shake the ketchup
  6. Best Oddly Satisfying Video for Stress Relief #Shorts
  7. Makeup tips & tricks #Shorts .(3)
  8. Best Oddly Satisfying Video for Stress Relief #Shorts
  9. This lady keeps stealing mail from mailbox
  10. Best Oddly Satisfying Video for Stress Relief #Shorts

Creators in Nigeria looking to make their own Shorts videos and take advantage of the Shorts Fund can try these six tips to create compelling and engaging content on the platform.

  • Spice up your video with music

Without music in the background, your YouTube Shorts video can appear boring. You can add music to your Shorts by tapping the Add Music icon at the top and selecting one of the preset songs. That way you can then create lip sync and dancing videos using the song. You can also add audio from other YouTube videos into your YouTube Shorts video. To add music, click on the ‘Add Music’ tab and you’ll be taken to a library of music from famous artists that you

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Entertainment / Movies / News

Nollywood veteran Victor Olaotan is dead

Nollywood veteran Victor Olaotan has died. The movie star passed away on Thursday, August 26, 2021, after a prolonged illness.

His widow, Julia Olaotan, broke the news of his death to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday morning.

Mrs Olaotan said she is grateful that the 69-year-old actor can finally go to rest after suffering for years.

“He has tried. It is not easy to be trapped in your own body for five years. He can finally rest now,” she said.

Olaotan was bedridden for five years after he was involved in a ghastly accident in 2016.

At some point, several of his colleagues solicited funds to help get the movie veteran back to his feet.

Olaotan became a household name in the country after he starred in the award-winning TV drama series ‘Tinsel‘ where he played the role of Fred Ade Williams.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.

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News / politics

PDP to Buhari: You, not Ortom, are spreading division, hate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asserted that the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency is responsible for spreading division and hatred among Nigerians and not the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, as claimed in the Presidency’s press release.

The party was reacting to the hate statement issued by the Buhari Presidency in a bitter personal attack on Governor Ortom on Wednesday, in which the Presidency made allusions to genocide in Rwanda.

The PDP recalled how the Buhari Presidency has been planting seeds of discord in the country with hate language, divisive tendencies and unconcealed nepotism, to the extent that the nation has become widely divided along all fault lines.

“Nigerians have not forgotten how President Buhari, ahead of the 2011 general elections, declared that ‘if what happened in 2011 should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood’.

“Moreover, Nigerians can recall how Mr. President tagged those whom he believed did not vote for him; how he described citizens as ‘dot in a circle’, as well as the hate language that attracted sanctions by Twitter.

“It is rather alarming that instead of taking steps to address the killings in Benue state as well as the worsening insecurity, carnages, banditry, terrorism and imminent humanitarian crisis in the country, the Buhari Presidency is thinking of Rwandan genocide while exposing its deep-seated detestation for Governor Ortom.

“Governor Ortom is a highly principled and forthright leader, who is loved not only in Benue, but also across the nation. The PDP urges Nigerians to hold the Buhari Presidency responsible should any harm come to him or his family members.”

The party asked the Buhari Presidency to come clean on its handling of insecurity in the country, particularly against the backdrop of its manifest failure to battle and rout out terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and marauders that have taken over the highways, forests, pillaging communities and killing Nigerians on a daily basis.

Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, said in a statement: “Under President Buhari’s lethargic …

News / politics

Nigerians are unbreakable people, do not hate each other – Osinbajo

Despite the activities of those with divisive agenda, Nigeria will prevail over her tribulations due to the resilience, faith, hope and strength of its people, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday at the National Social Cohesion Dialogue organized by the Africa Polling Institute, which held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Describing Nigerians as “an unbreakable people”, the VP emphasized the shared interests of Nigerians across different facets of life, noting that Nigeria’s diversity can be used to drive further economic growth.

He explained, “And in the face of the challenges confronting us, we must remind ourselves of certain truths. The first is that our present challenges are neither unique nor exceptional. Various nations at various points in their histories underwent similar tribulations. It is within our power to address these issues and emerge from them even stronger as a people. “Despite the divisive rhetoric of demagogues and the utterances of those who profit from disharmony, Nigerians do not hate each other. Every day, millions of Nigerians of different ethnicities and creeds comingle, make common cause and forge friendships across our fabled fault lines. While we have our share of such acrimony, the situation does not support the narrative that we are a nation of fragments condemned to be perpetually at each other’s throats.

“What matters is how committed we are to the constructive management of diversity and the peaceful resolution of such conflict. This is where we can and should certainly work much harder.”

Advocating for unity despite sundry differences, the VP warned against “polarising identity politics”.

He said, “the truth is that Nigeria has evolved beyond the sort of easy balkanization that is proposed by some separatists. Politicians who continue to traffic in division and discord are behind the times and have failed to take note of how much more integrated our society has become.”

Noting that the fair, swift and equitable dispensation of justice to address both everyday grievances and long-suffered wrongs is essential for fostering social cohesion, the …

EndSARS / News

Eight states submit EndSARS judicial panel report to NEC

All 28 states that established judicial panels following the EndSARS protests last year have now completed the assignment, except Lagos State which will conclude later this year in October. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, made the disclosure on Thursday at the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, saying that eight states had turned in their reports and that NEC looks forward to discussing them in full at its next meeting as more states are expected to make their submissions as well.

This was among resolutions reached at the end of the council’s 119th meeting (eighth in 2021), held virtually and presided over by the Vice President, with state governors, federal ministers, and other senior government officials in attendance. Speaking on the consideration of the panel reports, Professor Osinbajo listed the eight states that had submitted their reports as: Abia, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Kwara, Nasarawa, Ondo, and Rivers.

Other highlights of the meeting include the presentation of financial updates of the ministries, departments and agencies.

Excess Crude Account (ECA) balance as at 13th July 2021 stood at $60,855,153.31; Stabilisation Account balance, N30,757,901,458.81; and Development of Natural Resources Account balance, N33,891,412,441.85. The governor of Lagos State, Babjide Sanwo-Olu, made a presentation on the progress report of the NEC ad hoc committee interfacing with the Presidential Taskforce  on COVID-19 to ease the lockdown on the economy.…