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Latest Breaking News Tonight, Saturday 25th Of July 2020

1. Diaspora remittances hit $25b per annum ― Buhari

—We’re working with NASS over Diaspora voting – Dabiri-Erewa

President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday said that Nigerian Diaspora remittances exceeded $25 billion annually in three years.

The President also appealed to citizens abroad not to abandon their fatherland in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but to actively participate in the country’s Post-coronavirus economic recovery efforts.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in a statement he issued said that President Buhari made the disclosure in a video message to commemorate this year’s Diaspora Day, which is observed every July 25.

2. Edo 2020: Violent Fight, Clashes Mar Kick-Off Of Obaseki’s Governorship Campaign

Reports of clashes among hoodlums, leading to the destruction of billboards, cars, and other valuables were reported in Edo State on Saturday as Governor Godwin Obaseki flagged off his re-election campaign.

The launch of the Governor’s campaign held at the lawn tennis court of the refurbished Ogbe Stadium, Benin the state capital.

The event was attended by the PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus who presented the flag to Governor Obaseki.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Bayelsa Governor, Senator Duoye Diri; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde all attended the event.

Others were Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Senator Dino Melaye; Ondo State deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi; Senate Minority Whip, Enyinnaya Abaribe and a host of others.

The violence was said to have started as a result of clashes between supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the two major parties in the state over the demolition of billboard.

3. Shehu Sani Reacts As Fresh Killings Leave Seven Dead In Southern Kaduna

Senator Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna central, has condemned the killings in Southern Kaduna, describing it as an act of terrorism.

Naija News reports that Kaduna has witnessed repeated killings in the past one week. Over 40 people have been killed in communities in Kaura, Zangon-Kataf, Kauru and Kajuru local government areas of the state.

Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, had on July 21, attributed the killings to politics and revenge, stressing that the situation was more complicated than what most people think.

Also reacting to a recent attack, Governor Nasir El-Rufai stated that the bandits carrying out the killings do so irrespective of religion.

But in a statement on Saturday, Shehu Sani called on both the federal and state government to treat the killings as an act of terrorism.

He said continuous violence and bloodshed in southern Kaduna stands is unconscionable and stands unreservedly condemned.

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

Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State says security is not an issue on the Abuja-Kaduna rail service but that of people obeying the Federal Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines.

El-Rufai made this disclosure while briefing newsmen on Saturday at the testing running operation trip of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) in Kaduna.

“The train is secure, the train is well protected, even the Abuja-Kaduna highway is well protected, there has not been a kidnapping case there since October last year.

“So, I’m not worried about security. What I want to appeal to people that will use the train is to ensure that they keep physical distancing, wash their hands as the COVID-19 is still very much around.

5. Edo group calls for repositioning of NDDC

The HeartBeat Professionals Association, a social- cultural group has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to improve and impact the lives of the people in region, positing that the president should not consider the recommendations of politicians from the region wholly while reconstituting the board of the Commission.

The group made this appeal in a statement signed by its secretary general Engr Osagie M. Otokhagua, noting that the group does not repose confidence in the ongoing probe.

The statement read: “we call on President Muhammadu Buhari to commission an independent audit firm to carry out the forensic audit of the commission in the best interest of the people of the region.”

6. Edo 2020: Oba of Benin to hold prayers for peaceful election

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Saturday said plans were underway to summon the Edo Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs to pray for a peaceful election in the state.

The Oba made this known when Gov. Godwin Obaseki led some governors, senators and other top-ranking officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council visited him in his palace in Benin.

The Oba said God and his ancestors have been answering his prayers whenever he prayed, adding that the forthcoming governorship election would not be an exception.

7. JUST IN: Resident Doctors Threaten To Begin Fresh Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to begin its suspended strike on Monday, August 17, 2020, if the Federal Government fails o address its demands.

The President of NARD, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, made this known in Abuja on Saturday while reading to newsmen a communique issued after its virtual National Executive Council meeting and scientific conference held on July 20 and 25 2020.

While demanding the payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance to members which, it said, was long overdue, NARD called on government and the National Assembly to probe the non-enrolment of healthcare workers for the Group Life Insurance and non-payment of death-in-service benefit to the next-of-kin of its fallen heroes, despite claims of payment to insurance companies.