IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

President Bola Tinubu says Nigerians cannot afford to be refugees in other countries, adding that his green-back passport is still what he has. The President called on Nigerians to be patriotic and have confidence in the country as the whole nation goes through “baby steps of faith” for the country to arrive at a “positive destination”.

“Nigeria will see positive changes as we move along. Let’s go through these baby steps of faith,” Tinubu said on Thursday when he visited the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, the state capital. “Let the confidence return to Nigeria. This country is the only country we have. I know what it means to be a refugee in another country. And my green-back passport is what I still have now.”

Tinubu, who said his visit was a homecoming, saluted the leaders for delivering Ogun State for him in the last election despite the ‘no money, no fuel’ controversy that dotted the February 25, 2023 poll.

He said having achieved ‘Emi lo kan’, he was glad to be back in Ogun State. He thereafter sought the prayers of the monarchs to steer the ship of Nigeria aright and to deliver on all promises made.

“To the chairman of our party, I am grateful. At least, we delivered despite the hardship of no money, no fuel. Ah! I credit you. Thank you.

“The hope is recharged. It is here. That hope will never fail. I am here still making that pledge of the campaign promise,” the President stated. Tinubu made his famous “Emi lokan (It is my turn)” speech on June 2, 2022 in Abeokuta days before the presidential primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). “It is the turn of Yoruba, it is my turn,” he said while addressing party delegates at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, met with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the service chiefs at the State House in Abuja. In attendance at the meeting include the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. Gen. C.G Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen T. A Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla; and the Chief of Air Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun was also present at the security meeting. The meeting was not unconnected to the worrisome security situation in the country. Monday’s meeting is the President’s first formal engagement with the NSA and the service chiefs since their appointment on June 19, 2023.

Monday’s engagement followed Tinubu’s return to base in Abuja on Sunday after a string of Sallah activities in Lagos last week. The President had on June 19 removed all the service chiefs he met in office exactly three weeks after his inauguration and appointed new ones whom he directed to resume with immediate effect.

The move by the President followed persistent calls by civil society organisations that the security architecture be rejigged and fresh hands allowed to handle the nation’s security apparatus.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) has described as untrue a social media video showing a woman washing Golden Penny Semovita in a sieve using cold water and claimed that the residue she got after sieving was plastic. In a press statement personally signed by NAFDAC DG, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye stated that a similar video was circulated in 2020 which later turned out to be untrue after a scientific analysis of Semovita content. "Upon receiving the alerts from various quarters in the community in 2020, the Director General immediately gave a directive to conduct emergency post-marketing analysis using different brands of Semolina. 

"The Agency investigated this claim by conducting appropriate analytical testing in her internationally accredited laboratories. The results showed that there was no plastic or any similar harmful contaminants in Golden Penny Semovita. It contained the expected components plus the required Vitamin A.  "NAFDAC therefore wishes to inform the general public that the claim in the social media video assertions is misleading. The alleged Golden Penny Semovita is a brand of semolina, a very popular flour made from wheat and consumed in several parts of the world. Semolina contains mainly water, carbohydrates and about 13% of gluten-forming proteins. 

"Gluten is made up of two classes of proteins - glutenin and gliadin, which upon addition of water combine to form gluten, a protein that gives nutritive value and imparts other characteristic properties to the product. "Glutenin normally gives a bread dough the ability to rise during baking while gliadin gives it the viscous and elastic (viscoelastic) properties, or it simply makes it extensible and elastic. This latter property is the rubbery/plastic-like appearance that was exhibited in the said video. Semolina has no plastic content in it; it only exhibits viscous and elastic properties. "The rubbery-like material that was observed in the video after many washings with water is the gluten that formed after the gluten-forming proteins get mixed with water.

Golden Penny Semovita is manufactured by Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc., a registered company which has been granted marketing authorization by NAFDAC to manufacture the product and offer for sale in Nigeria. "The company’s operations were certified by NAFDAC after meeting the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS). NAFDAC wishes to reassure the public that Golden Penny Semovita and indeed all other semolina products registered by the Agency are safe for human consumption having been so approved by the Agency, following science-driven regulatory diligence. 

"There is no cause for apprehension by consumers as such approved products are manufactured in line with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and in compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards, which is continuously monitored by NAFDAC. "Members of the public are implored to exercise discretion in the use of social media to address any suspicion they may have on regulated products. Resorting to social media has the tendency to cause fear and panic. Rather, they should contact the nearest NAFDAC office or contact NAFDAC via online channels at reforms@nafdac.gov.ng  Or Call: 0800-1-NAFDAC (0800-1-623322) for immediate response".

Newcastle United have signed AC Milan and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old has signed a five-year contract, becoming Eddie Howe's first signing of the summer as his side prepares for Champions League football.

Tonali helped Milan win Serie A in 2021-22 and was part of the side which reached last season's Champions League semi-finals. He is also a member of Italy's squad at the Under-21 European Championships. Tonali came through the ranks at Brescia and made his professional debut for them in Serie B at 17.

Brescia were promoted to Serie A in 2018-19 and, though the club was relegated the following season, Tonali made his Italy debut during that campaign when he came on as a substitute against Liechtenstein in October 2019. He joined AC Milan on loan in the summer of 2020 and, after making the move permanent the following year, scored five goals in 36 top-flight appearances as the club won the Italian title in 2022.

Tonali scored twice in 34 Serie A outings as the San Siro side finished fourth last season, while he made 12 appearances in the Champions League before Milan were knocked out by rivals Inter in the semi-finals.

Plans to commence the defence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC) on Monday recorded a setback due to the absence of its first witness.

INEC, which is the first respondent in the petition by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was scheduled to open its defence today. The petitioners are challenging the emergence of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 election.

At the resumed hearing, counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud, told the court that he planned to call three witnesses within three days, but the one slated for the day’s hearing was unavailable due to some domestic issues. He subsequently applied for an adjournment till Tuesday to enable the witness to attend court. Counsel to other parties did not object to the request by INEC’s counsel.

The Chairmen of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, subsequently adjourned till 9 am on Tuesday for the hearing. INEC is also expected to open its defence at 2 pm in the petition by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.q

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign England midfielder Mason Mount from Chelsea on a five-year contract for £55m, plus £5m in add-ons. Mount, 24, will be Erik ten Hag's first signing of the summer as he looks to strengthen his side following United's qualification for next season's Champions League.

Chelsea spent £600m last season and needed to sell before 30 June to ease Financial Fair Play concerns. Mount joined Chelsea aged six. Chelsea had rejected United's first three bids but talks between the two clubs resumed this week to resolve the impasse. It is understood Chelsea preferred not to lose Mount but were unable to successfully negotiate a new contract with his deal set to expire next year.

Mount, who has scored 33 goals in 195 appearances for Chelsea since making his senior debut in 2019, missed the end of the domestic season with injury as the Blues came 12th - their lowest finish for more than 25 years.