Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Sowore Criticises Northern Leaders Over School Closures During Ramadan. Prominent Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly condemned the recent decision by some northern leaders to shut down schools to enable children to observe Ramadan fasting. The policy, currently being enforced in Bauchi, Katsina, Kebbi, and Kano States, has sparked widespread criticism from concerned citizens. Many have expressed concerns over the impact on students’ education, arguing that such a move further disadvantages children in public schools. Weighing in on the issue, Sowore accused the policymakers of hypocrisy, alleging that while they close down public schools, their…

Real Madrid Edge Past Atletico In Dramatic Shootout To Set Up Arsenal Clash. Real Madrid kept their Champions League dreams alive with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid, securing their place in the quarter-finals where they will face Arsenal. After a 2-1 first-leg win for Real, the tie was levelled within just 27 seconds of the second leg when Conor Gallagher struck for Atletico, making history as the first Englishman to score in a Madrid derby. Despite the early goal, neither side could find a winner in normal or extra time, forcing the contest to…

Arsenal Set For Real Madrid Showdown After Overcoming PSV. Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 9-3 aggregate victory over PSV Eindhoven, setting up a blockbuster clash with reigning champions Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta’s side had effectively sealed progression with a dominant 7-1 first-leg triumph in the Netherlands, allowing the manager to make significant changes to his starting XI for the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium. Despite large sections of empty seats in a subdued atmosphere, the home crowd witnessed a moment of brilliance from Oleksandr Zinchenko, one of three left-backs in the…

Emery Faces PSG In Champions League Quarter-Final As Redemption Beckons. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will have the chance to rewrite history when he faces his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, in the Champions League quarter-finals. This encounter offers the experienced tactician a shot at redemption following one of the most painful moments of his otherwise illustrious European career. Emery masterminded Villa’s smooth passage into the last eight with a dominant 3-0 victory over Club Brugge at Villa Park, sealing a 6-1 aggregate win with minimal fuss. Now, the focus shifts to a highly anticipated clash with PSG, who have…

Wike Condemns Impunity, Says Impeachment Of Fubara Is Constitutional. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised the actions of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing them as a demonstration of impunity and disregard for the rule of law. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike asserted that impeachment is not a criminal offence and can be carried out if justified. “Politics is not play. If he has done something to be impeached, let them impeach him. It’s not a criminal offence,” Wike stated, stressing that loyalty should be mutual in governance. He further emphasised that…

Nicola Sturgeon To Step Down As MSP After 25 Years In Scottish Politics. Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that she will stand down as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) and will not seek re-election in next year’s Holyrood election. Sturgeon, who led the Scottish National Party (SNP) for nearly a decade, described her time in parliament as a “privilege beyond words” but said the time was right to “close the book on that chapter and open a new one.” A defining political career   Sturgeon, Scotland’s longest-serving first minister and the first woman to…

President Tinubu Holds Private Meeting With Lagos Assembly Leaders Obasa And Meranda. President Bola Tinubu is currently engaged in a closed-door meeting with key members of the Lagos State House of Assembly at the State House. Among those in attendance are Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and Deputy Speaker Mojisola Meranda, alongside other lawmakers. It was gathered that the legislators arrived in two white buses, with Deputy Speaker Meranda among them, while Speaker Obasa arrived separately a few minutes later. The agenda of the meeting remains undisclosed, but it is expected to focus on legislative matters and governance in Lagos…

Passengers Recall Fear And Chaos During Train Hijacking In Pakistan. Passengers who survived a hijacking on the Jaffar Express in Pakistan’s Balochistan province have described the terrifying ordeal as “doomsday scenes” as armed militants stormed the train on Tuesday. The Balochistan Liberation Army attacked the train, which was carrying over 400 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, taking a number of them hostage. Several passengers, including the train driver, were reported injured.  Rescue efforts underway   According to military sources, 155 passengers have been freed and 27 militants killed, although these figures remain unverified. Hundreds of troops, along with helicopters and…

Patrice Motsepe Re-Elected As CAF President For A Second Term. Dr Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as president of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) for a second four-year term. The decision was confirmed during the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, extending his tenure until 2029. Motsepe’s re-election follows a widely praised first term, during which he played a key role in stabilising CAF’s finances and enhancing its global profile. Under his leadership, the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire set new records, attracting an unprecedented 1.4 billion viewers worldwide.…

IPU Pledges Fair Hearing In Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Case. The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has assured that it will consider both sides of the dispute involving suspended Nigerian lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan before taking any action. This follows Natasha’s appeal for justice during the Women in Parliament session in New York, where she sought intervention from global democratic institutions over her suspension from the Senate. Dr Tulia Ackson, President of the IPU, acknowledged Natasha’s claims but emphasised the importance of hearing from all parties involved. “There was a matter that arose during the first session this morning, raised by our colleague…

Governor Fubara Prevented From Accessing Rivers Assembly Quarters To Present 2025 Budget. Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was on Wednesday unable to access the Rivers House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt to present the 2025 budget proposal. Upon his arrival with an entourage, the gates to the assembly quarters were locked, preventing him from entering the premises. The assembly quarters serves as the chamber for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers Assembly, which remains loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The political rivalry between Fubara and Wike over control of the…

Amaju Pinnick Loses FIFA Council Seat By Narrow Margin.  Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has lost his bid to retain his seat in the FIFA Council, falling short by just one vote. In the highly competitive election, Pinnick secured 28 votes, missing out to Souleiman Hassan Waberi of Djibouti, who claimed the final available spot with 29 votes. The election results saw Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa emerge as the top candidate with 49 votes, followed by Hani Abou Rida of Egypt and Djibrilla Hima Hamidou of Niger, both securing 35 votes. Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya…