President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Kano reaffirmed the commitment of his administration towards the fight against insurgency in the country. According to him, Kano was the commercial hub of the northern Nigeria, adding that commercial activities in the state has been paralysed by the Boko Haram insurgency. “Before the insurgency, dozens of articulated vehicles,from different states in the north trooped into Kano to buy goods. “The activities of the insurgents have really paralyse the socio-economic activities of the state,“ he said. “Our administration is committed to pursuing the three-point agenda: the fight against corruption, insurgency and restoring the economy. “Security…
Author: David Folami
Timi Frank has said that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar left the party because of John Oyegun’s incompetence. Frank said “One should have expected our national chairman to focus on how to rebuild the APC now instead of concentrating his energy on Atiku Abubakar who is no more with us. “I hope Chief Oyegun will learn from the history of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and the PDP when some of us were leaving the party. The party later paid the price and if care is not taken APC too will pay the price of Oyegun’s incompetency in 2019. “Our national chairman ought…
Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has denied plans to run for Presidential ticket in 2019. In a statement by his spokesperson, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, he said “The attention of Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has been drawn to reports in some sections of the media, which seem to suggest that he has confirmed an interest in seeking to fly the flag of PDP in 2019. “This is not a very true reflection of what the Distinguished Senator gave out in a chat with some newsmen couple of days ago,” the…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday alleged that some “overzealous elements” in the All Progressive Congress (APC) were planning to hinder the party’s national convention holding on Saturday in Abuja. Mr Dayo Adeyeye made this known recently. He said that the president was not part of the plot but that some members of his party were out to cause confusion. “We have credible information that some overzealous elements in the APC Government want to disrupt the PDP national convention. “It is not from the very top; they know that if we have a hitch-free convention, it will mark the…
Alhaji Lai Mohammed recently dispelled the rumour that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) would be increased. ”Government has no intention at all to increase the pump price of PMS; the minister has assured the council that there is enough products for the next one month even to end of January,’’ the minister stated. According to him, there is usually more demand for petrol product during Christmas which explains the scarcity of the product during the period. He said that the digital switch over (DSO) platform in Ilorin would soon be inaugurated while those in Kaduna, Osogbo and…
The Physically Challenged in the Southwest have requested for a separate ministry to take care of the people in the category. The Association of the Physically Challenged Southwest, made the plea in Lagos during a solidarity visit to the Aare Ona Kakanfo designate, Dr Gani Adams. Speaking through their spokesman, Prince Paul Adelabu who said there are over 25m physically challenged in the country, the physically challenged said a separate ministry for them would further improve their welfare and allow government cater for them better. Adelabu said motor cycle accident victims add to the figure regularly, stressing that it is…
Rotimi Amaechi, has begged the Muhammadu Buhari administration to stop blaming former President Goodluck Jonathan and focus on the electoral promises. “I agree with those who said we should stop criticising the last government and that we should do our own,” Amaechi said. “We need to leverage on what we know. People are shouting intermodal transport; I went to the new airport in Singapore and I didn’t find one person at the airport. “As you walk in, technology takes over,” “They also said in the next few years, they would introduce driverless cars. We should also think outside the box…
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers has stated that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) are being prepared by the government to rig the 2019 election. He said “SARS is being prepared for the rigging of elections in 2019. Time has come for people to resist these criminals in uniform because they cannot kill everyone. “SARS has not helped in Rivers State. Rather, they perpetrate criminal activities. With the sustained activities of SARS, Nigeria is heading for disaster.” Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday, December 6, 2017, mandated its Ad Hoc Committee on Security to investigate allegations of human rights abuses…
Peter Bosz has described Borussia Dortmund’s winless Champions League campaign as a disappointment after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. “We started very poorly,” the 54-year-old told his postgame news conference, adding: “But eventually you could see a team that can play good football and work together. We also showed that we have a lot of great players and it will be good for Dortmund’s future when more return from injury after the winter break.” “We wanted to play more compact and you could see that we were not pushing as high up the field as we…
Arsene Wenger is sure he can keep both Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud at the club in January despite their lack of playing time, saying they’re both needed as Arsenal try to compete in four competitions. “I want to keep the squad. We qualify now for the Europa League [knockout rounds], that means we do not want to reduce the squad,” he told a news conference. “We have the League Cup, we are still in it, we have the FA Cup to come, we have the Europa League to come, we have the Premier League where we have a big…
Paul Pogba has supported his Manchester United teammates to win this weekend’s derby without him. He said: “I have complete trust in the team. Even if I am not there, I will be there watching the game giving positive energy and hopefully we are going to win. “I’m very disappointed because I really want to help the team and wanted to be there for this derby because obviously we are playing City and in this moment we need points and we need to win. It’s an important moment, an important game so, like I say, disappointed.” He added: “I didn’t…
Arsene Wenger has said Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla has to start his rehab all over again after his latest foot surgery, pushing the Spaniard’s return to the pitch well into the spring — if he can come back at all. “I sent him a message [after the surgery] and wished him well. He answered, ‘Look I have to start again from zero,’ basically. And it’s very sad, honestly. What he has gone through, this guy, is unbelievable,” Wenger said. “It’s really, really sad. But unfortunately, he has to start again from zero. That means if all goes well, he has…
Ousmane Dembele finally trained with his Barcelona teammates for the first time since rupturing a thigh tendon nearly three months ago. Dembele, the most expensive signing in Barcelona’s history, joined the rest of the group for the first part of Wednesday’s session and then continued with his recovery routine. The 20-year-old Dembele hurt his left leg in the team’s 2-1 win at Getafe on Sept. 16. It was one of his first matches since being signed from Borussia Dortmund in a deal that could potentially reach nearly €150 million ($177m). Dembele underwent surgery in Finland three days after getting injured.…
Philippe Coutinho has said it was “special” to captain Liverpool as they disgraced Spartak Moscow 7-0 to book their place in the Champions League knockout round. “It was a very special night. “I was very happy with my goals and the performance. It was special to be captain — I think it was my first time here. “We can face some big teams in the next round, but we’ll see who we’re drawn against.” In addition to Coutinho’s hat trick, Sadio Mane scored a brace and Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah got on the scoresheet, with the attack living up…
Pep Guardiola was very pleased with the performances of his young players despite Manchester City suffering their first defeat of the season. “Congratulations to Shakhtar, it was a good game,” Guardiola said. “Their first goal was magnificent, and the second goal we didn’t defend that well. “We fought and I’m so pleased for Tosin, Phil and Brahim and how well they played against a good team like Shahktar Donetsk. “The people saw it, we came here to win and we were there until the end. We couldn’t do it but I’m happy for the performance.” Holders Real Madrid are among…
Juan Mata has issued Manchester City warning that they are destined to get a blip in this season’s title race and he is hopeful Manchester United can land the first blow this weekend. He said: “It’s very difficult to win every single game and we need to be ready if they drop points. “Physically, December is a very tough month. We play at Christmastime every two or three days and we need to be ready for that. “If we can get out of the Christmastime with all the points then we could be happy because it means we will be…
Jurgen Klopp is of the opinion that a team “will not be happy” to draw Liverpool in the Round of 16 of the Champions League after their 7-0 win over Spartak Moscow on Wednesday. “I think it’s really strange this year,” Klopp told his postmatch news conference. “In the last 16 of the Champions League there are only strong teams, but this year it’s quite special. I don’t think you can often face Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the last 16 if you win the group. That’s quite interesting. “Antonio Conte said it yesterday, there are no easy opponents.…
Mauricio Pochettino praised Tottenham’s progress in Europe and encouraged supporters to “dream” of the Champions League final after Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Apoel Nicosia. “It was so important and it is fantastic achievement and it is a thing to [give] pride to the team,” Pochettino said of Spurs’ tally of 16 points from a possible 18. “But now it is a long way, still a long way. We need to wait until the end of February to play again, we need to see the draw and I hope that we keep that level and of course more motivation and everything,…
Dr Bukola Saraki, has stepped in as regards the tuition fees crisis rocking Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. The students union of the institution had serially protested in Ilorin against what it described as outrageous tuition fees, insisting that the authorities must revert the tuition fees to the old regime. But Saraki yesterday in a statement he personally signed, agreed with the students’ position, saying information at his disposal showed an upward review of the tuition fees by the Polytevhnic’s management. The Senate President, who appealed to the students and their parents to remain calm, assured them that Kwara State government…
Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has finally intervened in intractable crisis that has engulfed 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in Lagos State. Reports had it that the crisis, which has been raging shortly after the state local government elections, arose from the decision of the party’s state executive council to address lopsidedness that characterised the constitution of LGA/LCDA executive councils in the state. Several APC chieftains revealed at the weekend how the clash of interests compelled the APC national leader to organise meetings with the party leaders in the state on the need to respect the…