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Facebook gives $5 million to fund COVID-19 vaccines

Facebook has announced that it’s donating $5 million towards the Go Give One fundraising campaign established by the World Health Organization Foundation. The money will go towards the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) mechanism; which is helping to distribute COVID-19 vaccines around the world equitably.

While increased vaccine production and increased funding to buy vaccines will help enormously to ensure that everyone can get a vaccine; there are still communities in wealthy countries that are resistant to getting a vaccine; due to their perception of the vaccine or misinformation that they have heard about it from friends, family, or online.

To rectify the second issue, Facebook is partnering with organisations in areas that vaccines are becoming available; to help reach out to those most affected by the coronavirus. In the United States, Facebook has is working with KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation); BlackDoctor.org; and the National Academy of Medicine to promote content that features black doctors; nurses; and researchers answering questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

Facebook will also be helping AARP and Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health to run Spanish-language campaigns to inform and educate more people about COVID-19 vaccines.

In the UK, Facebook said it’s working with Dope Black Dads; the British Islamic Medical Association; and the Caribbean African Health Network to run campaigns that target the communities they work in. Earlier news reports revealed that ethnic minorities were more exposed to the coronavirus; due to the jobs they do (unable to work from home) and the fact many more people from these groups are living in overcrowded housing. These groups of people have also been targeted by anti-vaccine messages online which is increasing hesitancy.

Hopefully, Facebook’s newly announced efforts will help to get more vaccines out to those communities which are hit hardest by the pandemic. If you’d like to donate to the Go Give One campaign, you can do so now.

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Nigerians react to FG’s hammer on Channels TV for IPOB interview

Nigerians have reacted to the fine of N5 million slammed on frontline TV station, Channels TV by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The interview in question was with Emma Powerful, the spokesman of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Channels TV was fined over a breach of the Broadcasting Code.

In a letter signed by its Acting Director-General, Armstrong Idachaba; the NBC complained about the Channels TV 7pm live broadcast programme of Sunday, April 25, 2021. The NBC DG told the Managing Director of Channels TV that the TV station erred by allowing a leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to make secessionist and also inciting declarations without caution.

The regulator accused the news channel of allowing the guest speaker to make derogatory, false; as well as misleading statements about the Nigerian Army, despite being proscribed by a court of law.

Emma Powerful had fielded a series of questions from his interviewer in which he addressed the recent killing of a commander of IPOB by security forces in Imo State. Emma Powerful had declared that the commander, known as Ikonson Commander, was set up.

Further, he had declared that the Nigerian Army lacked the capacity to invade the camps of IPOB; stating instead that the commander was ambushed after being lured out by some prominent politicians. In addition, Emma Powerful claimed that the deceased commander had rejected the offer of Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma to head the newly formed South East regional security outfit, Ebube Agu.

Meanwhile, the action of the Federal Government has drawn intense reactions from Nigerians. Consequently, a number of users have taken to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to react. Indeed, a school of thought had declared the fine on Channels TV as a case of hypocrisy and double standard; even as it accused the FG of not taking action when Channels TV aired some incendiary comments made by the Miyetti Allah.

Others also cited instances when the government failed to take action over statements capable of inciting unrest.

Equally important, 1st News has put together a few reactions below; including that of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

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Pantami raises alarm of doctored videos against him by unknown persons

The embattled Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Monday, April 26, warned Nigerians that some unnamed persons were planning to release some doctored videos against him.

Pantami made this disclosure via a statement issued in Abuja by his media aide, Uwa Suleiman.

The Minister said the move was the next stage of the forces against him.

There had been calls for the resignation of the minister; after his controversial comments on the activities of terrorists emerged on social media.

Although the minister had renounced the comments and insisted that he made them out of immaturity in the past; many Nigerians still insisted that he should resign or be sacked.

But on Monday, Pantami said, “We are in receipt of credible intelligence that the same forces; who have been championing a well-coordinated and richly funded campaign against Pantami, are now unto the next stage of their diabolic project.

“This time around, the forces of evil are shopping for willing partners; as well as their usual avenues to release doctored videos purporting to show the minister in an alleged compromising condition as a way of creating injury on his image.

“We are least surprised by this recent move which is a clear intensification of their desperation; having failed in their assault on the personality of the minister, despite their previous efforts.”

The minister said the notice was to alert the public to the latest plan and to warn the perpetrators about the consequences of such action.

Meanwhile, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has beseeched the Federal Government to seek help where necessary to regain peace in the country; and chart a way forward without using Nigerians as victims.

Soyinka made this call on Sunday, April 25, in response to the killings across the country by bandits; terrorists; and other gunmen in the country.

Professor Soyinka decried that these gunmen have sacrificed and traumatised the country’s youths beyond their capacity to cope.

“The already over-stretched sinews of moral restraint have been snapped off the casing of nation being; and nothing is left but the collective wails of impotence. Not for the first time; what many hoped was a Natural Law of Limitations has been contemptuously, defiantly breached.

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Mamson – Emma

Mamson aka Kahli Brown returns with two new fresh cut tracks “Emma” And “First Time I Get High” off high studio album “SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE” . He always impress us with his amazing sound,Download Emma and listen below and follow him on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook; @Mamson

Download & Enjoy…

DOWNLOAD MP3: Mamson – Emma

Lyrics
(Chorus x2)
Tupelo Honey Emmanuela Sweety Baby You Are Like Tupelo Honey.
Tupelo Honey.
Emmanuela Sweety Baby You Are Like Tupelo Honey.
Tupelo Honey.You are like Tupelo Honey.
(Lines)
She left me,
I’m lonely,
Is not fun,
Anymore,
Shengbin La,
Koi Lela,
Koi lela,
Milwaukee.
(Chorus x1 )
(Lines)
Wish I can,
Change The world,
No Hunger,
or poverty,
My Lady,
I Miss You,
Big Passion,
In Your Future.
(Chorus)

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Mamson – First Time I Get High

President of the Pyramid Hills Sound Mamson aka Kahli Brown makes a statement on new tune off the soon to be released “SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE” album. This one is titled “FIRST TIME I GET HIGH” produced by PHS.

This goes in line with the slew of tracks that MAMSON has dropped leading up to his studio album “SINCE YOU’VE BEEN GONE”. Could this be the next hit from the Pyramid hills boss? We’ll have to wait and see.
Listen and Enjoy!

DOWNLOAD MP3: Mamson – First Time I Get High

Lyrics
(Chorus x2)
Are You Home Yeti?
Are You Home Yeti?
You Better Call Me,
You Better Call Me,
Smoking Is Cool,
Smoking Is Cool,
You Better Call Me,
You better call me.
(Lines)
Remember Me when am gone when am gone uh,
I love the sound I must have you now,
You talk to me and I listen uh,
I dont know I was all high.
(Chorus)
(Lines)
We had a fight I say things I don’t mean uh,
You don’t have to stay u just check in,
I love you girl but my love is my life uh,
We are close with the mixtape uh,
(Chorus)
(Lines)
Fight for me I will use that uh,
She was the one who turn down all the light uh,
Growing up with my girl it was nice uh,
I have to go I don’t want start the year with you.
(Chorus)

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Ghana set to deport 480 illegal immigrants from Nigeria, Burkina Faso

About 480 illegal immigrants from Nigeria and Burkina Faso have been apprehended in Ghana.

The illegal immigrants will be deported after proper documentation.

The development was confirmed by the Ghana Immigration agency which revealed that the 480 Nigerian and Burkinabe illegal immigrants were arrested in the Upper East Region.

Furthermore, the undocumented aliens were said to have made their way through Ghana’s porous borders; the upper East Regional police PRO, DSP David Fianko-Okyere, revealed to the media.

All immigrants were also said not to be wearing face masks, neither have their COVID-19 status being determined.

Meanwhile, the High Commission of Ghana in Nigeria has denied alleged castigation of Nigeria and her leadership by President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.

This was disclosed by an official of the High Commission in Abuja who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Ghanaian official said the comments trending on social media were nothing but fake news. Further, he denied the reports, which claimed that Akufo-Addo made some provocative comments; which specifically attacked the leadership and people of Nigeria.

While describing the reports as misleading, the official said; “President Akufo-Addo holds the brotherhood of Ghana and Nigeria in the highest regard”.

The arrested immigrants from Nigeria and Burkina Faso

The alleged comments from Akufo-Addo had painted the Nigerian government in bad light. The Ghanaian President was quoted to have allegedly said; “We must learn from the mistakes of Nigeria, and never in our entire history be ever so foolish.

“You cannot declare war on your country and still be enjoying federal allocation as a state except in complicity with the government. The Nigerian government is an ethnic government, not a nationalistic government. What I cannot understand is why Nigerians themselves are not angry enough to change the situation.”

According to the official, the statements accredited to Mr. President were not true and misleading.

“There is no occasion either in private or public where President Akufo Addo attacked the good people of Nigeria. Mr. President holds the brotherhood of Ghana and Nigeria in the highest regard.

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Oscars 2021: Full list of winners

On Sunday, April 25, the 93rd edition of the Oscars ceremony celebrating the excellence of creatives in television and films in the last year took place. The annual movie award ceremony was broadcasted from two locations in Los Angeles: The Dolby Theatre and Union Station.
 There was no anchor to officiate the event; this is the third consecutive year that Oscars will be without an anchor, following Kevin Hart’s homophobic comments a couple of years ago. 

David Fincher’s Netflix film Mank led the nominations with 10 in total, while The Father, Judas And The Black Messiah, Minari, Nomadland, South Of Metal, and The Trial Of The Chicago 7 all followed with six nods apiece.

The big winner on the night was Nomadland, which won three prizes in Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Frances McDormand.

Six films managed two awards, with The Father, Mank, Sound of Metal, Soul, Judas and the Black Messiah all managing a pair of prizes.

Frances McDormand won her third best actress Oscar for her role in “Nomadland” and Anthony Hopkins notched his second-best actor win for “The Father.”

See the full list of Oscar 2021 Award winners below.

Best Picture

“Nomadland” — Winner

Best Director

Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland” — Winner

Actress in a Leading Role

Frances McDormand, “Nomadland” — Winner

Actor in a Leading Role

Anthony Hopkins, “The Father” — Winner

Actress in a Supporting Role

Yuh-jung Youn, “Minari” — Winner

Actor in a Supporting Role

Daniel Kaluuya, “Judas and the Black Messiah” — Winner

Original Song

“Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah” — Winner

Animated Feature Film

“Soul” — Winner

Makeup and Hairstyling

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — Winner

Visual Effects

“Tenet” — Winner

Cinematography

“Mank” — Winner

Film Editing

“Sound of Metal” — Winner

Production Design

“Mank” — Winner

Sound

“Sound of Metal” — Winner

International Feature Film

Denmark, “Another Round” — Winner

Documentary Short Subject

“Colette” — Winner

Documentary Feature

“My Octopus Teacher” — Winner

Live Action Short Film

“Two Distant Strangers” — Winner

Animated Short Film

“If Anything Happens I Love You” — Winner

Original Screenplay

Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman” — Winner

Adapted Screenplay

Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller, “The Father” — Winner

Original Score

“Soul” — Winner

Costume Design

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” — Winner

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Uzodinma’s house set on fire by suspected hoodlums

The residence of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has been set on fire by unknown gunmen on Saturday, April 24.

1st News reports that the gunmen invaded Uzodinma’s residence in Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area on Saturday morning.

The gunmen reportedly killed two security personnel on duty.

It was gathered that vehicles parked at the compound and part of the building were also affected by the fire ignited by the attackers.

Confirming the incident, Declan Emelumba, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, said: “It is true, but the information is not still clear.”

“It’s not true that several security men lost their lives. About two security men on duty at the governor’s house were killed. NSCDC personnel were among the security men who lost their lives during the attack,” he said.

Meanwhile, Uzodinma, had accused politicians of funding banditry to run down the present administration.

Uzodinma made this allegation on Friday, April 23, while briefing reporters shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The governor who condemned the recent attacks by armed bandits on communities, especially in the northern part of the country, challenged the security agencies to urgently reveal the names of their sponsors.

He also condemned the call for secession, stressing that criminals; particularly in Imo were a combination of individuals within and outside the state.

“What people are doing is to sponsor crisis to the extent that those funding banditry are politicians; and I challenge and call on the security agencies to make their names available to the press because what they want to do is to distract a government that is focused,” the governor said.

According to the governor, it was necessary for Nigerians to offer more support for the Federal Government to weed out sponsors of crisis and enemies of progress in the country.

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AKA, SA rapper reacts to demise of fiancee

A couple of weeks ago, Nelli Tembe, the fiancee of South African rapper, AKA fell off the 10th floor of Pepperclub hotel in Cape Town.

For the first time since her demise, AKA real name Keirnan Forbes has paid tribute to her.

The music star released a press statement via his Instagram page on Friday, April 23, 2021.

According to the rapper, every day of her death feels like a mountain to climb.

“I miss Anele, and I am heartbroken at the unfulfilled life we had planned together. Her tragic loss has taken a toll on me emotionally and psychologically,” part of the statement read.

“Insinuations and Innuendos made on my personhood have made it even more difficult to process and the strain our families have taken is unspeakable which is why at this time, I choose to retreat to honour my journey, praying that the moment of stillness may bring me closer to some sanity.”

Nelli Tembe was laid to rest on Friday, April 16.

Witnesses at the scene described hearing shouting and a ‘loud doof’ sound and said they had heard a man calling security and crying.

“Paramedics on the scene have said a female had allegedly jumped from the 10th floor of that building. When paramedics arrived on the scene, she had sustained polytraumatic injuries,” Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said.

AKA and Tembe got engaged two months ago.