Founding Managing Director of New Africa Holdings (publishers of the defunct Democrat newspapers), Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, is dead. He is reported to have died of a cardiac arrest while undergoing a routine medical check-up, late Monday in Abuja. He was 78 years old.

Funtua, a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), born in Funtua, Katsina joins a list of top politicians in the country who have died this year, including the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who died in April after succumbing to complications from the coronavirus. 

He is expected to be buried Tuesday, according to Islamic rites.

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Ebonyi Governor fires 1000 aides

Governor Dave Umahi, says he would disengage from service over 1,000 aides on August 1, due to non-performance.

Speaking during a virtual swearing-in of some Special Assistants and Caretaker Chairmen of Local Governments, among others in Abakaliki on Monday, the Governor noted that those in the positions of Technical Assistant (TAs), Senior Technical Assistant (STAs) and Executive Assistant (EAs) are to be axed with this new development, adding that the affected aides who wished to re-apply for the positions must be endorsed by a State Government’s ministry or department.

“We have over 1,000 of you, over 350 LGA liaison officers and several Development Centres management committee members, yet myself and my deputy threw ourselves ‘in the ring’ on the COVID-19 issue.” I don’t know where else you will get a position, where you will just sleep and wait for bank alert,” he said.

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Sneakpeak to upcoming horror movie ‘The Resident’ released

Scintillating horror movie, The Resident directed by James Omokwe was showcased on social media in a promotion teaser.

As shown in the teaser released on Monday, the Temple Motion Pictures film stars notable actors; Efa Iwara, Jimmy Odukoya, Bisola Aiyeola, Ebenezer Eno, and Lasisi Elenu. 

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Access Bank acquires Kenyan Transnational bank

Following an earlier announcement on October 28th 2019, Access Bank Plc. has completed its acquisition of Kenyan Transnational Bank Plc., as well as its acquisition of full regulatory approvals and fulfillment of all conditions necessary for the completion of the acquisition. 

“The Bank’s vision is to be the World’s Most Respected African Bank and our entry into the Kenyan market, a gateway in East Africa, not only brings us closer to that vision but enables our customers tap into our extensive global network that translates into immense business opportunities, robust and efficient digital solutions, competitive products and unrivalled customer experience,”  a statement released by the bank read.

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NCDC confirms 562 new cases of coronavirus

562 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

FCT-102
Lagos-100
Plateau-52
Kwara-50
Abia-47
Kaduna-35
Benue-34
Oyo-26
Ebonyi-24
Kano-16
Niger-15
Anambra-14
Gombe-12
Edo-11
Rivers-6
Nasarawa-5
Delta-5
Borno-3
Enugu- 2
Bauchi-2
Kebbi- 1

37,225 confirmed
15,333 discharged
801 deaths pic.twitter.com/YOnyl1KNUP

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) July 20, 2020