THE Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the election of Laila Buhari as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Kano Central Senatorial District. The PDP had approached the Supreme Court, seeking the apex court to set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal, and then declare Damburam Nuhu as the validly elected senatorial candidate. But in a judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba, the 5-man panel comprising Justices Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro and Emmanuel Agim, disagreed with all the grounds of the appeal. The panel also lambasted and warned the PDP against impunity. In his…
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ALKALAM Writers Association, Kaduna, says it is organising a public commemoration and book presentation on renown Hausa broadcaster and author, Alhaji Mahmoon Baba-Ahmed, who died five years ago. President of the association, Hajiya Halima Abdullahi K/Mashi, revealed this in a press release on Tuesday, saying the event will take place at Arewa House, Kaduna, on Thursday, February 9, 2023, which falls on the fifth anniversary of the demise of the journalist. Alhaji Mahmoon, whom she described as an elder statesman, died in Kaduna on Thursday, February 9, 2018, aged 77. He first made a name for himself as a correspondent…
THE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) today flagged off orientation ceremony for Graduate Coaching Scheme (GCS) in Sokoto. The training which is under the Special Public Works Department of NDE is targeted at 36 participants. Addressing the participants, the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Nuhu Fipko said they remained committed to their mandate of creating mass employment opportunity for unnskilled and unemployed persons in Nigeria. Fipko who was represented by the Sokoto State Coordinator, of NDE, Mohammad Umar Sanda Gusua said the 36 participants will be posted to 3 different centers across the 3 Senatorial Districts of Sokoto. While admonishing…
FRANCE and Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from international football. The 29-year-old, who won the World Cup in 2018, scored five goals in 93 appearances for his country after making his debut in 2013. The last of his caps was won in the 2022 World Cup final, in which France were beaten by Argentina on penalties. “Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honours of my life,” said Varane. “Every time I wore this very special blue jersey I felt immense pride. The duty to give it all, play my…
RESIDENTS of border communities in states including Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Adamawa and Kwara have opted for the CFA franc following the scarcity of the new naira notes across the country. In other parts, trade by barter is now the mode of trading in the southwest where the currency scarcity is also biting harder. In the north, the residents, including traders and commercial drivers, are also rejecting the old naira notes, insisting that customers who do not have the new redesigned currency must pay for goods and services with CFAs. The CFA franc is the legal tender in eight West African…
THE head of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Martha Chizuma, has been suspended over a leaked audio in which she made comments that could potentially prejudice people accused of corruption. The audio leaked more than 12 months ago with President Lazarus Chakwera describing it at the time as “corruption fighting back”. He also suggested that the audio was being circulated to force him into sacking her. Ms Chizuma remained in the job with the president’s backing and went ahead to indict several high profile officials, including Vice-President Saulos Chilima and a cabinet minister, on various corruption-related charges. They denied any wrongdoing.…
CHADIAN president Mahamat Deby met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday. Mahamat Deby is visiting Israel to open the central African nation’s embassy in the Jewish state, building on their diplomatic relations, established five years ago. In 2019, during Netanyahu’s last term, he and late president Idriss Deby Itno, Mahamat Deby’s father, announced the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. The elder Deby, who ruled the Muslim-majority nation for more than three decades, was killed in 2021 on the battlefield in a fight against rebels. His son replaced him as president at the head of a military junta. Upon landing in…
IN one of his first moves since becoming speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy is leading an effort to block Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from serving on the chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee over her past criticism of Israel. On Wednesday, the Republican majority in the House advanced a resolution to remove Omar from the panel. Democrats opposed the move, accusing McCarthy of bigotry for targeting the politician – a former refugee of Somali descent who is one of only two Muslim women serving in the US Congress. A few Republicans initially opposed McCarthy’s effort, casting doubt over…
KING Charles III will not feature on Australia’s new five dollar note, the country’s central bank has announced. The new design will pay tribute to “the culture and history of the First Australians”, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) says. A portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II appears on the current design of five dollar note. The Queen’s death last year reignited debates about Australia’s future as a constitutional monarchy. “This decision by the Reserve Bank Board follows consultation with the Australian government, which supports this change,” the bank said in a statement. “The Bank will consult with First…
TWO missed penalties, a skied sitter and being taken off injured after just 21 minutes – Kylian Mbappe endured a nightmare evening as his Paris St-Germain side won at Montpellier. The France striker had an early spot-kick saved and then – after a reprieve – saw his retake cannon off the post, only for him to fire the rebound over an empty net. Mbappe limped off holding his hamstring soon after, less than a fortnight before PSG’s Champions League last-16 first-leg tie with Bayern Munich. Speaking after the game, coach Christophe Galtier suggested the injury was down to a knock…
MANCHESTER United eased through their EFL Cup semi-final second leg with Nottingham Forest to book a 1999 Wembley rematch with Newcastle. Second-half goals from Anthony Martial and Fred ensured victory on the night for Erik ten Hag’s side, even though a place in the final was virtually secure anyway thanks to their 3-0 first-leg triumph at the City Ground. Martial marked his return from a four-match injury absence by driving home his sixth goal of the season, after a pass intended for Marcus Rashford deflected back to the French striker 17 minutes from time. Within 180 seconds, United had another…
JOAO Cancelo made an instant impact on his Bayern Munich debut as they cruised into the German Cup quarter-final with a 4-0 win at Mainz. The Portuguese full-back, who joined on loan from Manchester City on Tuesday, crossed for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s volleyed opener on 17 minutes. Jamal Musiala drilled home a second soon after before Leroy Sane’s calm finish made it three before the break. Alphonso Davies headed home a fourth late on for a dominant Bayern. Mainz’s Alexander Hack was then dismissed for a lunge on Musiala, just minutes after manager Bo Svensson was sent off for dissent,…
BARCELONA won away at Real Betis to move eight points clear at the top of La Liga. Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva made three saves to deny Pedri before Raphinha scored from Alejandro Balde’s cross. La Liga’s top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski hit his 14th league goal of the season after Ronald Araujo’s knockdown to make it 2-0. Betis pulled one back late on through Jules Kounde’s own goal but Barca held on for the victory. After the final whistle, Betis midfielder William Carvalho was shown a red card after complaining to the referee. The result leaves Barcelona on 50 points from…
THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday unveiled Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed as its Vice-Presidential Candidate for the Feb 25 general election. Edozie Njoku, National Chairman, APGA, unveiled Mohammed at a ceremony on Wednesday in Abuja, naming Jonathan Elendu as Director-General, of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC). Njoku commended the judiciary for finally resolving the party’s crisis, lauding the party loyalists that stood by the party. He alleged that he was accused of so many things including forging a Supreme Court judgment and expressed happiness that truth had prevailed. Njoku said that with the court judgement, it was left…
DANGOTE Industries Limited (DIL) has signed an agreement with China Sinoma International Engineering to build a six million tons per annum cement plant in Itori, Ogun State. The agreement was signed by the chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote alongside theGroup executive director, Strategy, Capital Projects & Portfolio Development, DIL, Devakumar Edwin,while ChinaSinoma Engineering was represented by its Grouppresident, Yin Zhisong, and the company’s chairman, Liu Renyue. Dangote speaking at the signing ceremony, said that new integrated cement plant at completion will strengthen the local production capacity of Dangote Cement, bringing its local capacity to 41.25 million tons per…
THE Vice Chancellor of the Bayero University, Kano, Prof Sagir Adamu Abbas, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of a former Vice Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim H. Umar, who died on Monday. He described the late Prof. I. H. Umar as humble, simple and a complete gentleman who served the university and his motherland deligently . In a condolence message issued by the Deputy Registrar, Public Affairs, Lamara Garba and made available to News Point Nigeria, Wednesday, Prof Abbas said Nigeria had, indeed, lost another rare gem, whose contributions to national growth were enormous. “He was an inspirational leader with…
SAUDI Arabia has won a bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Wednesday. The announcement was made at the AFC Congress in the Bahraini capital of Manama. Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder after India withdrew in December. “We are excited to deliver the greatest tournament in the competition’s history,” the kingdom’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal said after the announcement. “The kingdom is transforming before our eyes and we are filled with excitement for what it will look like in 2027.” The world’s biggest oil exporter, Saudi Arabia has thrown…
HIS 56th birthday is just around the corner but Japanese striker Kazuyoshi Miura is still making moves in football – literally. Miura, in his fifth decade as a professional footballer, has joined Portuguese second-division side Oliveirense on loan from J-League outfit Yokohama FC. His new adventure in Portugal represents a sixth country in which he has played, following spells in Brazil, Japan, Italy, Croatia and Australia. “Even though this is a new place for me, I’ll work hard to show everyone the kind of play I’m known for,” said Miura, who will celebrate his birthday on 26 February. He has…
CHELSEA winger Hakim Ziyech’s proposed loan move to Paris St-Germain has been blocked by France’s governing body, the LFP. A deal was agreed before the French deadline for the 29-year-old. But PSG sources were critical of Chelsea’s conduct, claiming required paperwork was not submitted on time. Ziyech was in Paris expecting a deal to be confirmed, but the registration was not completed and so he will return to Chelsea for the rest of the season. BBC Sport understands the player contacted Chelsea owner Todd Boehly directly in an effort to resolve the matter, but his pleas were ultimately unsuccessful. The…
REGIONAL leaders meeting in Somalia have agreed on a joint offensive operation against Islamist militant group al-Shabab. The “search and destroy” operation will boost the momentum built up by government forces who have made huge gains over the past few months, including recovering territory controlled by the al Qaeda-affiliated group. “The time sensitive campaign will prevent any future infiltrating elements in the region,” said the communique signed by the leaders of Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya It did not provide any details about the operation. Al-Shabab, which launched mortar shells in Mogadishu ahead of the leaders’ meeting, has not responded…