THE Editor-in-chief of UN Dispatch and host of a global dispatches podcast has attracted criticism after tweeting a thread saying that Nigerian presidential candidate Peter Obi’s popularity stemmed from the #EndSars movement which he says was inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests and the killing of George Floyd in the US. Mark Leon Goldberg tweeted: “If Peter Obi ends up winning the presidential elections in Nigeria, you could argue that it would represent the most significant political impact of the George Floyd protests anywhere in the world — including the US.” ‘The tweet has had thousands of interactions since…
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THE Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri has called on youths to shun electoral violence and use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect credible leaders with the capacity to deliver on sustainable development, peace and economic prosperity. The governor said this while addressing youths during a programme tagged, ‘Prosperity Youths Day 2023’, at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene. He described the PVC as a tool that confers political power on the electorate and that what the youths needs is the card, which he said is more powerful than an AK-47 rifle. He said, “The PVC is your AK-47. You…
THE former US astronaut Buzz Aldrin has got married for the fourth time on his 93rd birthday. Mr Aldrin piloted the legendary Apollo 11 spaceflight in 1969, becoming one of the first two people to walk on the moon after the mission’s commander, Neil Armstrong. The former pilot said that he and new wife Anca Faur were as “excited as eloping teenagers”. He is one of only three people alive to have walked on the moon. Pictures from their Los Angeles ceremony were shared by Mr Aldrin on Twitter. “On my 93rd birthday and the day I will be honoured…
AN adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the West’s “indecision” over sending extra weapons to Ukraine is “killing more of our people”. “Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians,” Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on Twitter. His remarks come after Ukraine’s defence minister said he had a “frank discussion” with his German counterpart about German Leopard 2 tanks, which Kyiv is urgently requesting to confront Russian armour. Germany has insisted that it is not blocking the delivery of German-made Leopard tanks, which other countries want to send. “We had a frank discussion on Leopards 2. To be continued,”…
AHEAD of Sunday’s Premier League showdown at the Emirates Stadium, former Super Eagles midfielder, Seyi Olofinjana, has predicted that Man United will pick the maximum points against Arsenal. Recall that Erik ten Hag’s men are the only team to beat Arsenal this season, after winning 3-1 at Old Trafford. However, the Nigerian international in a chat with SuperSport, stated that the Gunners have made the Emirates a fortress this ongoing season. “Arsenal have made the Emirates a fortress this season. “But the spoilers (Manchester United) are in town. “So I will predict Arsenal 1 Manchester United 2,” Olofinjana said.
THE two giants, who have been in constant pursuit of major prizes in recent seasons, are currently locked well outside the top four – and how it showed in a dismal game almost devoid of entertainment and quality. Chelsea had an early Kai Havertz strike ruled out for offside by VAR and there was also a lively debut as a second-half substitute for £89m new boy Mykhailo Mudryk, while Liverpool keeper Alisson saved well from another new Chelsea signing, defender Benoit Badiashile. Liverpool’s own £45m recruit Cody Gakpo was quiet – he did force one save from Kepa, but otherwise…
NIGERIANS voting for a new president next month will have 18 contenders to choose from but the three men seen as the leading candidates have been separately accused of trading in narcotics, money laundering and global tax avoidance. None of them has ever been indicted, which would rule them out from running for office, but the high-profile allegations have raised questions over their candidacy. “It is choosing between bad candidates,” said Auwal Rafsanjani, head of the Nigerian branch of anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International, pointing out how widespread corruption has caused devastating levels of underdevelopment and poverty in the oil-rich nation.…
MANCHESTER United are interested in a mega summer swoop for Tottenham striker Harry Kane. Erik ten Hag has put a new No 9 at the top of his summer recruitment plans and England captain Kane is among the club’s preferred options. Kane’s future is once again gearing up to become one of the transfer sagas of the summer. Sportsmail has learned United chiefs have already started exploring the particulars attached to a potential move for Kane at the end of the season. Sources have indicated that Kane is open to joining United, news that will encourage Old Trafford chiefs.
LEADERS Bayern Munich were held by Leipzig as the Bundesliga returned following a 68-day mid-season break. Serge Gnabry hit the post and Leon Goretzka had a goal disallowed for an offside in the build-up. Bayern got the first Bundesliga goal since the World Cup when Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting swept in Gnabry’s cross from close range. But third-placed Leipzig rescued a point when Marcel Halstenberg poked in from Dominik Szoboszlai’s header. Thomas Muller almost won the game for champions Bayern – who had won their previous 10 games – in injury time, but drove just wide from 20 yards. They lead…
JUVENTUS have been docked 15 points following an investigation into the club’s past transfer dealings, Italy’s football federation (FIGC) says. The Serie A giants were accused of fixing their balance sheets by artificial gains from club transfers now face relegation battle with 22 pointss from 18 games. Juventus had been in third place but the penalty dropped them to 10th. The club’s board of directors, including former president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved, resigned in November. Juventus have denied any wrongdoing and confirmed they will appeal the decision. In a statement, the club said they “await the publication of…
CHELSEA have completed the signing of England Under-21s winger Noni Madueke from PSV Eindhoven in a move worth about £30.7m. The 20-year-old joins on a seven-and-a-half-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year. Madueke is the club’s second signing in five days, following Mykhailo Mudryk’s arrival in an £89m deal. “I’m really pleased to sign with one of the best clubs in the world,” Madueke told the club’s website. The Blues have also signed David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos and Benoit Badiashile, plus Joao Felix on loan, during the January transfer window. Madueke added: “To return to…
HUNDREDS of supporters of the military regime in Burkina Faso have staged a demonstration in the capital, Ouagadougou, calling for the removal of French troops. The protesters also demanded the expulsion of the French ambassador and for a closer relationship with Russia. Giant posters of President Vladimir Putin were carried by the crowd, along with portraits of the leaders of the two other military juntas in West Africa – Mali and Guinea. France’s influence in the region has weakened markedly in recent years, in part because of the failure of its forces serving in Operation Barkhane to thwart an Islamist…
US President Joe Biden has said he has “no regrets” over not going public before the midterm elections with the news that classified documents had been discovered in his private office. The US attorney general has appointed a special counsel to investigate the matter. Classified files were found at an office he used after his term as vice-president and later at his home. “I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there,” Mr Biden said. His response came after a reporter asked him why he did not disclose the documents in November after they were found. “I have no regrets,”…
PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has been fined for not wearing a seatbelt in a moving car while filming a social media video. Lancashire Police said it had issued a 42-year-old man from London with a conditional offer of a fixed penalty. No 10 said Mr Sunak “fully accepts this was a mistake and has apologised”, adding that he would pay the fine. Passengers caught failing to wear a seat belt when one is available can be fined £100. This can increase to £500 if the case goes to court. The prime minister was in Lancashire when the video was filmed,…
TWO giants of English football who are now revising their pre-season targets. At the start of the campaign Liverpool playing Chelsea at Anfield would have been expected to be a title tussle, but instead the two struggling sides are languishing in mid-table. Both are on 28 points, a huge 19 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal, but Jurgen Klopp’s side have played one fewer game than Graham Potter’s team. Last season’s league meetings ended in draws, but Chelsea will be aiming for revenge after being beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals. With…
ATLETICO Madrid have signed Netherlands forward Memphis Depay from Barcelona for an initial 3m euros (£2.6m). The 28-year-old, whose contract was due to run out in the summer, joins on a two-and-a-half-year deal. Barcelona said the deal includes the option to sign Atletico’s Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco in the future. Former Manchester United forward Depay has only played four times for the Spanish club this season, having been hampered by a thigh injury. He moved to Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer of 2021 after leaving Lyon, and scored 14 times in 42 appearances. Atletico allowed Portuguese forward…
ARSENAL have signed Belgium striker Leandro Trossard from Brighton for £21m plus add-ons. The 28-year-old’s contract runs until 2027 and has the option of being extended by a year. He has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 16 top-flight games for Brighton this season. “He knows the league here and I think he can have an immediate impact in the team,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. The Gunners say they have submitted the required documents and hope Trossard will be available to face Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday (16:30 GMT). “We’re really happy to have him,”…
THE Nigerian Correctional Service has said 2023 will be a tough year for perpetrators of jailbreaks across the country, saying massive personnel and technology for intelligence gathering had been deployed to forestall jail attacks. The NCoS National Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja. Umar said that the NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa, in his wisdom, had put a lot of strategies in place to avert jailbreaks across the nation. This, he said, were both in terms of infrastructural development in the service for the year 2023…
BARCELONA comfortably made it through to the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey by thrashing third-tier side Ceuta. Raphinha curled home in the first half, while Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the second period, converting from close range and stroking in for 5-0. In between, 20-year-old Ansu Fati added a superb solo effort and midfielder Franck Kessie powerfully headed home. Real Madrid also progressed to the last eight, staging a stunning second-half comeback to win 3-2 at Villarreal. Carlo Ancelotti’s men had fallen 2-0 behind in the first half courtesy of goals from Etienne Capoue and Samuel Chukwueze. But the…
Manchester City 4 vs Tottenham 2 MANCHESTER City overpowered Tottenham with a stunning comeback at Etihad Stadium to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points. Spurs looked to be doing bitter north London rivals Arsenal a huge favour when they scored twice in the closing moments of the first half to leave Pep Guardiola’s side staring at a third successive loss. Dejan Kulusevski gave Spurs the lead seconds before the break after Rodrigo Bentancur robbed Rodri following Ederson’s poor clearance, then Emerson Royal headed a second after the City keeper could only push out Harry Kane’s…