cover Archives - Page 319 of 631

VIDEO: Moment Man United legend Patrice Evra visits Oshodi under bridge, plays chess with children

Patrice Evra, the Manchester United football legend, on Saturday visited the under bridge axis of Oshodi in Lagos.

During the surprise visit, the 40-year-old was seen playing chess with students of Chess in slums Africa.

Chess in slums Africa is a non-profit organisation known for using the game as a framework to promote education and raise champions from low communities.

In one of the video clips, the ex-France international was welcomed by a jubilant crowd, with many of them chanting his name.

He was also seen donning a Yoruba traditional cap with smiles etched on his face.

In a terse post via his Twitter page, the football star expressed his excitement at visiting Nigeria and sharing the unique moments with the children.

“Checkmate. Evra bus stop #Nigeria ! I’m soo impressed by those genius kids @Tunde_OD @burnaboy #ilovethisgame #positive4evra,” he wrote.

Tunde Onakayo, founder of Chess in slums Africa, had earlier teased fans about his visit but did not disclose his name.

“A Manchester United legend/former captain and a UEFA Champions league winner will be coming to play Chess against some of the kids in our academy at oshodi underbridge,” he had announced on Thursday.

The development comes a few weeks after Kevin Tokar, acting Canadian high commissioner to Nigeria, and his team also visited the area.

Onakoya has become a viral sensation across social media platforms since he initiated Chess in slums Africa.

He recently won the prize for community action at the 2022 edition of The Future Awards Africa (TFAA)

Watch video:

Fulani Armed Men Cut Off My Two Hands, Fled With My Gun – Oyo Security Man

A vigilante member in Itasa community in Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Amodu Abubakar, has narrated how he lost his two hands in an attack by some armed robbers suspected to be Fulani.

Abubakar, who is an indigene of Itasa, said the two suspected armed robbers attacked him while he was riding a motorcycle.

He said this in an interview with THE WHISTLER on Saturday.

Narrating how he was attacked, he said he was going back to his duty post and was riding a motorcycle when the incident happened on March 13. He said his attackers also rode on a motorcycle and suddenly pounced on him and cut off his two hands and took away his gun.

Abubakar said he trekked some kilometres before he was rescued and taken to hospital where he is still receiving treatment.

He said, ” Look at my hands, I can no longer use them for anything, I can’t even feed myself again. Somebody has to feed me now whenever I want to eat.

“I cannot remove my trousers. I cannot do anything for myself. They have rendered me useless.”

A son of the victim, Ahmed, who also spoke in an interview with our correspondent on telephone said the case was reported at the police station the same day his father was attacked.

He said the incident happened about two weeks ago adding that the police investigators had come to ask his father some questions concerning the attack on the hospital bed.

He said residents of the town and those living in nearby towns had launched manhunt for the attackers, saying the attackers’ target was the locally made gun which they snatched from his father after cutting off his hands.

The son said, “My father is still receiving treatment at hospital in Iwere Ile. He is devastated like we his children and family because of what happened. But we are trying our best to give him the assurance that he could still use his hands if we can raise money for him to buy artificial hands.

“He doesn’t want to be a burden to anybody and that is why he is happy about the prospect of using artificial hands.

“We are begging members of the public and the government of Oyo State and Nigeria to help us. My father can still.be useful if he can get the artificial hands but be needs financial help to buy them.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Adewale Osifeso, could not be reached for his comment on the incident.

Kaduna Govt Confirms Airport Attack By Terrorists

Kaduna State Government on Saturday said the attack by suspected terrorists was repelled by those around the precinct of its International airport.

The information was contained in a statement signed by the State’s Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

Armed men had reportedly invaded the airport earlier on Saturday, disrupting the operation of the airport services.

The incident had caused the death of a staff member whom the state government revealed to have been shot by the assailants.

“However, the bandits, unfortunately, shot and killed a staff member stationed at the perimeter fence who raised alarm on sighting them,” the statement read.

Aruwan added that aside from those around the airport’s vicinity, “Troops stationed within and around the airport responded and repelled the attackers”.

He also noted that the airport operations had resumed with scheduled flights departing after the incident.

Aruwan further said security forces were conducting operations in the airport general area, and “further updates will be communicated to the public”.

Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, who commended the security forces for their prompt response to the attack, and for repelling the attackers, expressed sadness at the report of the casualty.

He sent condolences to the family of the victim, offering prayers for the repose of his soul.

Kaduna has witnessed a trajectory of attacks in recent times, with non-state actors devising new strategies to perpetrate evil and its agenda in the state.

Notably, among its recent strategies are the planting of explosives randomly across the state; a situation the state government had raised an alarm about and had asked its residents to be cautious and vigilant of their environment.

Why We Are Supporting Security Agencies – Alhaji Ogunbiyi

Alhaji Waheed Usman Ogunbiyi, Chairman Oguns Investment Ltd, has said the reasons he continuously extends supports to security agencies is to ensure safe environment for social and economic activities to strive.

The frontline real estate investor stated this Friday afternoon when he played host to a team of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE which honoured him with NAOSRE Security Excellence Award.

Acknowledging the honour, an obviously elated Alhaji Ogunbiyi thanked NAOSRE for recognizing him, saying he never knew that an association as credible as NAOSRE had kept a close observation on his supportive efforts to security agencies.

“I really appreciate NAOSRE for nominating me. We are sufficiently encouraged by this honour. So we will continue to do more to support our security agencies so that our community can be safe.

“We have been doing our best but we never knew that association like yours has been monitoring us.

“We are happy with your association and we expect others to emulate your good work,” Ogunbiyi stated.

Earlier, the Head, Research and Intelligent Unit, RIU, in the NAOSRE PR Department, Lateef Owodunni, explained in details the rationale behind the award which he stated emanated from Alhaji Ogunbiyi’s noticeable supports to the Nigeria Police Force and other para military agencies for effective security service delivery within and outside Lagos State.

Owodunni added that the Comrade Femi Oyewale led media union will continuously recognize individuals and institutions that are supporting security agencies in line with the administrative focus of NAOSRE.

The NAOSRE team included National General Secretary, Osho Oluwatosin, National Registrar, Gbenga Isaac Shaba, Director of Process & Planning {NAOSRE President Office} Aina Iyabo Bose and Idumonza Isidahomhen, Public Relations Officer.

APC convention: Shittu Loses Out As Omisore, Kekemeke 11 Others Make South-West Unity List

The South-West unity list for the 2022 All Progressives Congress’ convention has been released.

The name of former Minister of Communications, Adebayo.Shittu, is conspicuously missing on the list made available on Saturday.

Five APC governors in the South West signed the list. They are: Governor Kayode Fayemi ( Ekiti) Rotimi Akeredolu ( Ondo); Adegboyega Oyetola ( Osun); Dapo Abiodun ( Ogun) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu ( Lagos).

On the list, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, was nominated as the National Secretary of APC.

Former APC chairman in Ondo State, Isaacs Kekemeke, was listed as the National Vice Chairman South West and 11 other APC members were nominated in the list.

Akeredolu had said in a statement by his Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogor, that some forces outside the region were trying to impose some persons on the APC in the South-West. But he said the governors had agreed to support Kekemeke as the National Vice Chairman ( South West).

It read in part, “This is to confirm that one of our own, the former APC state chairman, Duerimini Isaac Kekemeke, is in the race for the position of the National Vice-Chairman (South-West). Kekemeke has the full backing of Governor Akeredolu and his brother governors in the South-West.

“It should be noted that critical stakeholders in the South-West had earlier micro-zoned the positions that were brought to the region. Among these were the national vice-chairman, which was retained in Ondo, and the secretary, which was micro-zoned to the Oyo/Osun axis.

“For emphasis, what we are going for is national vice-chairman with Kekemeke as our candidate, and not national secretary. Those outside the South-West, who are attempting to micro-zone our offices for us in the South-West, are only creating unnecessary confusion and any such of their permutations outside the decision of stakeholders in the South-West should be ignored.”

JUST IN: Foreign Delegates Beaten, Robbed During APC National Convention

Some foreign delegates have lamented the ill-treatment they received at the ongoing national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) currently taking place at Eagles Square, Abuja.

In a video in circulation which was sighted by DAILY INDEPENDENT, a foreign delegate from Canada, said they arrived at the venue of the convention as early as 7 am but were not allowed admittance as at 1 pm.

He said they were asked to be in the queue but were beaten while some of them have their phones stolen.

“They sent us an e-mail that we should come by 7’o clock in the morning. We were there at 7 am. Later, they sent another e-mail that we should come at 9 am. They gave us a tag, took us on a bus. We went round all this place for almost one hour. They couldn’t let us in”.

“They finally told us to form a line. We got on the line. They started beating us, stealing our phones. As I am talking to you, we are still standing outside. Just look at what they are doing to foreign delegates. This is very unacceptable and the government has to know this. I came all the way from Canada and this is what we are getting”.

Breaking: Al-Makura Withdraws From APC Chairmanship Race, Backs Adamu

One of the contenders for the national chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Tanko Al-Makura has withdrawn from the race.

He withdrew from the race to support Senator Abdullahi Adamu who is believed to be the consensus candidate of the party for the position and enjoys the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.

This development was confirmed by Al-Makura’s spokesperson Danjuma Joseph and comes just a few hours before the commencement of the APC national convention in Abuja.

Al-Makura has previously declared he would not be withdrawing from the race to become the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Al-Makura, he can’t withdraw from the race simply based on speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reiterated that it prefers candidates contesting national working committee (NWC) positions to emerge through consensus.

This is at it added that members who feel otherwise about a consensus candidate would be allowed to test their popularity at the polls.

This position was made known on Friday by the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule who is the chairman of the media and publicity sub-committee of the APC national convention.

He submitted that the consensus option ensures the process is faster and rancour-free.

Sule however added that it doesn’t mean the APC would deny aspirants the opportunity to contest or for delegates to vote as anyone who disagrees with the consensus candidate would be allowed to slug it out at the polls.

He stated this during a press conference on Friday ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for Saturday (tomorrow) at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

John Dumelo Vows To Walk BareFooted From Accra To Lagos If Nigeria Wins

Actor turned Politician John Dumelo, like many Ghanaians, seem to have an abundance of hope in the senior national football team, Black Stars, ahead of the 2022 World Cup Qualifier match against Nigeria.

In a tweet, Mr Dumelo told his followers the Nigerian national team do not stand a chance against Ghana in the game on Friday, March 25.

The actors suggested the Super Eagles cannot possibly win the game.
However, in the event they do, John Dumelo said he would walk barefoot from Accra, the capital city of Ghana to Lagos, the capital city of Nigeria, some 463 km away from Ghana.

That is not all, the actor added he would carry his ginger – he harvests on his farms – on his head for the journey.

“Super Eagles my foot!” John Dumelo wrote.

Let them know!!! pic.twitter.com/H9FyKjAfxd— MrDumelo (@johndumelo) March 25, 2022

Ghana and Nigeria are battling for a spot in the 2022 World Cup expected to be held at Qatar.

POLL

Ghana will play Nigeria in the 1st leg on Friday, March 25, 2022, at 19:30GMT at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

They will then travel four days later to Abuja for the second leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The actor is not the only Ghanaian excited about the match. Former Black Stars player Asamoah Gyan called on the players to make Ghana proud.

“The nation is fully behind you,” he added in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo, has revealed the players are in good condition ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier playoff against Nigeria.

Addo, who is set to lead the team as the head coach for the first time believes his men are gunning to go in Kumasi.

“I have had enough time. The players are ready and in good shape. We have done a lot in training and I hope that we can show what we have done to Ghanaians,” the former Black Stars player told the media on Thursday.

The gaffer also calmed the fears and scepticism amongst the supporters, adding that is normal to feel that away ahead of a clash of this nature.

ASUU Strike: NANS Orders Students To Begin Street Protests

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has ordered students to commence street protests against the continued strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The directive, issued on Friday by NANS president, Comrade Sunday Asefon told the students to carry their cooking pots, mattresses, and other items and occupy the streets of Abuja, the nation’s capital city.

The directive was contained in a letter titled, ‘Urgent Notice Of Immediate Commencement Of Mobilisation,’ dated March 25, 2022, and addressed to the zonal coordinators of the union.

It will be recalled that ASUU under the leadership of Professor Emmanuel Osodeke had declared a one-month warning strike on February 14, 2022, over what it termed the failure of the federal government to address its demands and agreements.

The strike was further extended by two months on March 14 when the initial warning strike was supposed to end.

2023: Tinubu Meets Buhari’s Anointed APC Chairmanship Candidate, Abdullahi Adamu

Presidential hopeful and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has met with a candidate for the party’s chairmanship position, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.

Naija News reports that the Tinubu met behind closed doors with the former governor of Nasarawa State on Thursday at his residence in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

It is understood that the former Lagos governor met with Adamu to negotiate his emergence as the ruling party’s presidential candidate in 2023 and the party’s national convention slated for Saturday.

As of the time of filing this report, the two leaders have not released a statement regarding the meeting.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night hosted Tinubu and other founder fathers of the party.

The President continues his consultation with stakeholders of the party ahead of the party’s national convention on the 26th of March.

The first Interim Chairman of the party, Bisi Akande, the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, the lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial district, Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau and former Governor of Sokoto State, Aliyu Wamako were in attendance.

Others at the dinner are Governors Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The Caretaker Chairman of the ruling party, Mai Mala Buni and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha were in attendance also.

The dinner was fixed by President Buhari to appreciate the critical stakeholders for their continued support to his administration.

It is also expected that issues of leadership and crisis in the party were discussed during the dinner.