THE Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has hailed Nigerian workers for their patriotism, commitment to nation-building and resilience as they join their counterparts around the world to mark the 2023 Workers’ Day on May 1. In a statement on Sunday, Lawan said the workers have contributed in finding solutions to challenges and supported the efforts of government targeted at meeting the yearnings of the populace. He said, “This consistent patriotic stance of the Nigerian workers has enhanced peace and industrial harmony and provided a conducive environment for economic growth and development in the country.” “The dictum that ‘Labour creates wealth’ remains…
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FAVOUR Daniel’s goal in the second half handed Nigeria a positive start at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Algeria 2023, after seeing off Zambia 1-0 at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday. Despite a late penalty miss by Light Eke, the Golden Eaglets managed to see off the slim advantage to move top of Group B after their opening match. It was a well fought contest from both sides, but on the balance of chances, Nigeria could have had more from the evening kick off. Abubakar Abdullahi thought he had scored the opener after 13…
NAPOLI will have to wait for their first Serie A title in 33 years after being held to a draw by Salernitana at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. They last won the league in 1990 with a Diego Maradona-inspired side adding to their first title three years earlier. Luciano Spalletti’s side were on course for the victory they needed when Mathias Olivera headed home a 62nd-minute corner. But Boulaye Dia equalised with a left-footed drive six minutes from time. It silenced an expectant crowd who made a cacophony of noise and set off blue smoke flares inside and outside the…
PARIS Saint-Germain’s poor second half of the season continued on Sunday as the Ligue 1 leaders slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to mid-table Lorient after having Achraf Hakimi sent off in the first half. Lorient were already ahead through Enzo Le Fee’s early goal at the Parc des Princes before Hakimi was dismissed for a second yellow card inside the opening 20 minutes. Kylian Mbappe equalised for the home side in opportunistic fashion, pouncing to score after Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo had thrown the ball to the ground wrongly thinking the referee had blown for a free-kick. Yet…
WITH the arrival of a second overland convoy to Port Sudan, the US government has helped nearly 1,000 Americans escape the spreading conflict in Sudan, the State Department said Sunday. “We continue to assist U.S. citizens and others who are eligible with onward travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where additional U.S. personnel are positioned to assist with consular and emergency services,” said a statement from spokesman Matthew Miller. A first US-organized convoy reached Port Sudan on Saturday, bringing American citizens, local staff, and nationals from allied countries, for transit on to Saudi Arabia. Miller said the US was coordinating closely…
TWO ultralight aircraft collided near an aerodrome in northeastern Spain on Sunday, killing four passengers, regional authorities said. Firefighters found one plane on fire in a wooded area near the Moia aerodrome north of Barcelona after being alerted by a witness who saw it lose altitude and crash, the regional government of Catalonia said. “Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters found two lifeless bodies inside the ultralight (plane),” it said in a statement. Several hours later firefighters found a second damaged plane with two dead people inside about 300 metres (984 feet) from the first. The authorities believe the two…
PORT Sudan is rapidly becoming a crucial hub in the midst of Sudan’s violence. The BBC’s Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet joined the latest evacuation mission to Jeddah. In the dead of night, as HMS Al Diriyah approached Sudan’s coast, Saudi officers flicked on sweeping search lights to secure safe passage for their warship into a harbour rapidly transforming into a major evacuation and humanitarian hub in Sudan’s deepening crisis. Even at 2am two other hulking vessels were also anchored offshore at Port Sudan, its largest port, waiting their turn in this international rescue effort. “I feel so relieved but…
AROUND 2,000 people have arrived in Saudi Arabia’s coastal city of Jeddah, after being evacuated amid chaotic scenes from Port Sudan in eastern Sudan. Earlier a Chinese military ship with nearly 500 Chinese and Pakistani nationals also made the 12-hour sea crossing. People from more than 70 countries are now reported to have reached Jeddah from Port Sudan. Most are expected to be flown home via charter flights arranged by their governments within the next few days.
THE death of the paramount traditional ruler of Obudu Local Government Area in Cross River State, His Royal Majesty, Joseph Davies-Agba, has been officially announced by the family. The demise of Davies-Agba was announced in a statement by his Son, Mr Kjay Jedy-Agba, on Sunday in Calabar. “It is with a heavy heart that I communicate to you the passing away of my beloved father, His Royal Majesty, Joseph Davies-Agba, OON, the “Uti Item III of Utugwang, Uti Ukani I of Obudu, Paramount Ruler of Obudu Local Government Area and Chancellor of the University of Cross River State. “His accession…
FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD winger Lamine Yamal became Barcelona’s youngest-ever player as they beat 10-man Real Betis to move 11 points clear at the top of La Liga. The academy product, who turns 16 in July, was brought on in the 84th minute to replace Gavi. At 15 years and 290 days, Yamal is the fifth-youngest player to appear in the competition. Goals from Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and a Guido Rodríguez own goal secured the win. Mallorca youngster Luka Romero is the youngest player to feature in La Liga when he came on against Real Madrid in 2020, aged 15 years…
SIR Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group may have taken a significant step towards taking control of Manchester United after it emerged its bid put a higher value on the club than Sheikh Jassim’s. Sources with knowledge of the bidding process have told BBC Sport that the Ineos offer received before 22:00 BST on Friday was the highest, relative to the stake they intend to take. Qatar banker Sheikh Jassim wants to buy 100% of the club and has offered about £5bn, but British businessman Ratcliffe only wants a controlling stake. This was initially viewed as the Glazer family’s 69% stake but…
POLICE in Texas say they believe a man killed five of his neighbours after an argument about him practice-shooting with a semi-automatic weapon nearby. The victims were all from Honduras, and included an eight-year-old child. The shooting happened on Friday night in the small town of Cleveland, San Jacinto County, north of Houston. Among those killed were two women who were found lying on top of two surviving children, according to local Sheriff Greg Capers. “In my opinion, they were actually trying to take care of the babies and keep them alive,” Sheriff Capers told a local station KTRK. He…
NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister has warned that a recent US-South Korean deal will lead to a “more serious danger”. Kim Yo-jong said North Korea’s nuclear deterrent “should be brought to further perfection”, state media reported. The US agreed to deploy nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea and involve Seoul in its nuclear planning to counter nuclear threats from the North. In return, South Korea agreed to not develop its own nuclear weapons. The deal – known as the Washington Declaration – was announced this week during President Joe Biden’s talks with his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol’s in…
A FAMILY fleeing Sudan say they are among thousands stuck at the border with Egypt because drivers are demanding $40,000 (£31,810) to hire a bus to travel across. Only people travelling on buses with special permits can cross the border. Crossing on foot is banned. The family of seven, including three children under 10, escaped the fighting in the capital Khartoum two days ago. Fadi Atabani said his family, including an 88-year-old woman, were trapped. “There are thousands of people here. There is no accommodation. People are sleeping in schools or [on] mattresses,” he said, speaking to the BBC from…
AN ATTACK on a military base in eastern Burkina Faso has killed 33 soldiers and wounded 12 others in the latest outburst of violence in the West African country. The besieged soldiers killed at least 40 “terrorists” on Thursday before reinforcements arrived, the army said in a statement. The attack targeted the military detachment in Ougarou in the Est region. Burkina Faso’s armed forces have battled rebels since 2015. More than 10,000 civilians and members of the security forces have died, according to estimates, while at least two million people have fled their homes. One-third of the country lies outside…
THE Federal Government has once again postponed the 2023 Population and Housing Census. A credible source who spoke with this newspaper Saturday said the decision was made yesterday after a meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chairman of National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra. The source, who does not want his name in print as he was not authorised to speak with the media, said the postponement was made due to the challenges the commission is facing to seamlessly carry out the exercise. While he did not disclose the challenges to our reporter, the commission had previously suspended…
QATARI banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group have submitted their final bids for Manchester United, BBC Sport has been told. They are the two main parties looking to take control of the club. Club owners, the Glazer family, will now assess their position after the latest bid deadline passed at 22:00 BST on Friday. Both bidders are eager for a resolution to a process that began in November. BBC Sport has been told the offer from Sheikh Jassim is around £5bn and includes one figure that would go direct to the sellers. It…
REAL Madrid’s Luka Modric is an injury doubt for the Copa del Rey final and the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. The midfielder has what Real say is an issue at “the back of his left thigh”. The Spanish club play the Copa del Rey final against Osasuna on 6 May before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against City on 9 May. “He had an injury in the game at Girona [on Tuesday] and is out of action,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. Modric was substituted after 63 minutes in the 4-2…
A 13-YEAR-OLD American boy became a hero by managing to safely stop a school bus carrying dozens of kids when the driver lost consciousness. The drama unfolded Wednesday in the northern state of Michigan, when a teenager named Dillon Reeves got up and grabbed the steering when he saw the driver had fainted, and brought the vehicle to a halt in the middle of the road using the hand brake, school district superintendent Robert Livernois said. The bus was carrying nearly 70 students from Lois E. Carter Middle School in the town of Warren when the driver lost consciousness, as…
DUTCH judges on Friday ordered a man suspected of fathering more than 550 children through sperm donations to stop donating, in the latest fertility scandal to shock the Netherlands. The man, identified in Dutch media only as “Jonathan M.”, 41, was dragged to court by a foundation protecting the rights of donor children and the mother of one of the children allegedly fathered from his sperm. Dutch clinical guidelines say a donor should not father more than 25 children in 12 families, but judges said the man had helped produce between 550 and 600 children since he started as a…