Author: Editor

RIVERS state governor,Nyesom Wike, says the state will not vote a presidential candidate that will jail or kill him when elected into office. Speaking on Saturday at the Obio-Akpor LGA campaign rally organised by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council, Wike said Rivers will only vote for a presidential candidate that has the unity of Nigeria at heart. Wike also commended the governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their stance on power shift to the south. He said the APC governors’ position is proof that they understand the essence…

SIX days to the presidential and National Assembly elections, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has suspended the redeployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police for election duties. The police boss, on February 7, this year, redeployed some DIGs, AIGs and CPs ahead of the country’s general elections. The redeployment was part of the strategies of the police authority to ensure that officers and men of the Force are not partisan before, during and after the elections. However, a signal issued by the Force Secretary, was made available to our source…

AHEAD of the 2023 general elections, the people of troubled Birnin-Gwari in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State said they have started reaching out to various terrorist groups for the successful conduct of the poll in the area. The Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, Ishaq Kasai, in a statement on Saturday, said the development became necessary in view of the prevailing security challenges where about 100 communities were sacked while no fewer than 50,000 were internally displaced by terrorists in the LG. The statement was titled, ‘2023 general elections: only reaching out to terrorist groups will allow…

BAYERN Munich could be overtaken by Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga on Sunday after the champions’ losing streak against Borussia Monchengladbach continued. After Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano was sent off early on, Gladbach quickly took the lead through Lars Stindl. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting equalised before half-time, but Jonas Hofmann and Marcus Thuram put the hosts in command. Mathys Tel scored late but the 3-2 loss leaves Bayern a point clear of Union. Bayern, who are aiming for record 11th consecutive Bundesliga title, have now lost their past five matches against Gladbach. Union Berlin are the German top-flight’s…

Aston Villa 2 vs Arsenal 4 OLEKSANDR Zinchenko insists Arsenal can achieve “everything they want” after Mikel Arteta’s side twice came from behind to beat Aston Villa and reignite their Premier League title hopes. The Gunners scored twice in stoppage time to return to the top of the table and end a run of three games without a win. Ollie Watkins gave Villa an early lead and Philippe Coutinho, making his first Premier League start under former Gunners boss Unai Emery, added a second after Bukayo Saka equalised. Zinchenko then restored parity on the hour, before the drama kicked into…

WITH the estimated death toll still mounting, the massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6 is among the 10 deadliest of the past 100 years, with over 41,000 dead as of Friday. 1976: 242,000 dead, China A quake measuring 7.8, according to the Chinese authorities, (7.5 according to the US Geological Survey), strikes near the industrial city of Tangshan in northeastern Hebei province. The official death toll is given as 242,000 but is believed to be significantly higher. Western experts put the toll as high as 700,000, which would make it the second most deadly in the…

THE death toll on Saturday rose to more than 44,000 from the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria with the body of former Ghana international footballer Christian Atsu also found beneath a collapsed building in Antakya. The number of people found alive under the rubble have dropped to only a handful in recent days and the head of Turkey’s disaster agency, Yunus Sezer, said rescue operations would be “largely completed” by Sunday night. State news agency Anadolu initially reported on Saturday three people were found alive nearly two weeks after the the 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit on February 6. But the…

THE most powerful trade union in Tunisia is staging rallies in a number of cities in protest against President Kais Saied. Thousands of members of the UGTT union denounced the soaring cost of living and the recent arrests of prominent anti-government figures, including a top union official. At the biggest demonstration in the southern city of Sfax, protesters brandished banners, reading “Tunisia is not for sale” and “Stop the attack on union freedoms”. President Saied has accused what he called “traitors” of being responsible for price rises and food shortages.

THE body of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader Thomas Sankara is to be buried Thursday alongside 12 comrades at the spot where they were assassinated in a coup three decades ago, the country’s junta has said. No date had previously been set for the reburial, announced earlier this month. “The burial of the remains of Captain Thomas Sankara and his twelve companions murdered on October 15, 1987 will take place on Thursday, February 23,” said Communications Minister Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo in a press release Friday. Ouedraogo said the ceremony — which Sankara’s family have said they will not attend — will happen…

UDECHUKWU Obi Osakwe has been appointed a non-executive director of the leading hospitality brand Transcorp Hotels Plc, effective February 17, 2023, subject to the approval of shareholders. Osakwe’s appointment comes following the retirement of Mr. Alexander Adeyemi from the Board after serving for close to 4 years. Osakwe brings to the Board his extensive experience in Finance and Management Consulting, having held critical roles across the public and development sectors. He is an experienced Chartered Accountant, Finance Director, and strong finance professional with a demonstrated history in the Management Consulting Industry. He has worked with Donor Organizations such as the World…

AIR Peace on Saturday announced that there would be flight disruptions as a result of the low visibility caused by the bad weather. The airline noted that the weather in some of its destinations which is currently below operating minimum has led to the diversion of Lagos-Ilorin and Lagos-Kano flights. According to a statement by the management of the airline via its official Instagram handle apologised to affected passengers, adding that the weather was under the control of the airline. The statement reads, “The weather in some of our destinations is currently below operating minimum and this has inevitably created…

THE body of former Ghana international Christian Atsu has been found after a huge earthquake in Turkey, local media reported Saturday, quoting his manager. Atsu, 31, was caught up in a 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 43,000 people in both countries. There were initial reports he had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false. His manager in Turkey, Murat Uzunmehmet, told DHA news agency on Saturday that his body had been found under the rubble in the Turkish southern province of Hatay. “We have reached…

QATAR”S SHEIKH Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of one of Qatar’s biggest banks, has confirmed his foundation will bid to buy Manchester United. BBC Sport understands that Ineos, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, also officially made a bid before Friday’s 22:00 GMT ‘soft deadline’ for proposals. Billionaire Ratcliffe had already stated his interest in buying United. The Glazer family, who bought United in 2005, are considering selling as they “explore strategic alternatives”. Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari consortium said: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories. “The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s…

SERIE A leaders Napoli moved 18 points clear at the top of the table thanks to a routine away victory over Sassuolo. Napoli scored after only 12 minutes through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, shooting low into the corner after a fine run. Armand Lauriente hit the post for the hosts, before Victor Osimhen hit the woodwork for Napoli. Osimhen made it 2-0 after 33 minutes when he powerfully shot on the turn and beat Sassuolo goalkeeper Andrea Consigli at his near post. Osimhen has now scored in seven successive Serie A matches for Napoli, who are trying to become Italian champions for…

THIRTY-ONE bodies buried in two clandestine graves have been exhumed by authorities in western Mexico, officials said Thursday, in a region hit by violence linked to organized crime. The first grave was found on February 1 in the town of San Isidro Mazatepec in Jalisco state. A second grave was found after several days of investigation and the extraction of bags containing bodies. “We have already counted 31 victims,” Jalisco state prosecutor Luis Joaquin Mendez told reporters, adding that authorities have evidence to identify about half of the bodies so they can be returned to their families. Jalisco, which is…

AT least six people have died in a series of shootings in the US state of Mississippi, local investigators say. All the victims were in close proximity to each other in the small town of Arkabutla, about 45 miles (72km) south of Memphis, in neighbouring Tennessee. Three victims were found dead inside two houses, while others were found inside a store, in a car and on a roadway. Police confirmed to BBC News they have a suspected gunman in custody. The state bureau of investigation is assisting local police with the investigation. The man is believed to have acted alone,…

POLICE in Kenya have questioned a member of parliament over claims of funding bandits in the country’s northern Rift Valley region. Pokot South MP David Pkosing was arrested on Thursday evening by officers from the Serious Crimes Unit and released hours after interrogation. His lawyer says the MP will appear before detectives on Friday morning for further questioning. Mr Pkosing is the first politician to be probed by authorities over the banditry menace that has left more than 100 civilians and 16 security officers dead in the past six months. Kenya’s military will on Friday join police units in an…

THE UN refugee agency says thousands of people are continuing to flee fighting and insecurity in the disputed Somaliland town of Las Anod. An estimated 60,000 have crossed the border into Ethiopia in the past few weeks. The agency said many arrived exhausted and traumatised, carrying few possessions. In all, the UN estimates that more than 185,0000 have been displaced in the Las Anod area. Fighting broke out earlier this month between local forces and those of Somaliland, whose declaration of independence has not been internationally recognised.

THE new General Officer Commanding(GOC) for 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major General Godwin Mutkut on Friday inaugurated a 12-member Special and General Court-Martials for the trial of 68 officers and soldiers. Those for the trial were accused of committing various offences while on duty during operation Hadarin Daji. Brigadier Clement Iyere and Colonel Bashir Nuhu respectively are Presidents of the courts. The special and general court martials were inaugurated at the newly commissioned Lt. General T.Y Buratai Giginya Barracks Auditorium Hall, Sokoto. General Mutkut, who is the convener, urged the court to ensure the principle of fair…

ERIK ten Hag said Manchester United “have a lot of character and determination” after his side contested a thrilling first-leg draw at Barcelona to leave their Europa League play-off tie finely poised. Having previously met in two Champions League finals – both of which Barca won – the sides are trying to reach those heady heights again. This encounter at the Nou Camp in Europe’s secondary competition was another step on that road back to the top. Xavi’s men grabbed the opener when Marcos Alonso headed in at the back post from Raphinha’s corner, but United responded immediately through the…