Author: Chief Editor

• SOKAPU youths vow to retaliate attack on cleric The Presidency has condemned Sokoto-based Muslim Solidarity Forum (MSF) for calling on the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Dr. Matthew Kukah, to tender unreserved apology to the Muslims, or quietly and quickly leave the state, over his controversial Christmas essay. Professor Isa Maishanu of MSF had described the essay as “malicious comment” against Islam. In a statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, the Presidency said MSF’s comment “is wrong because it is not in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic…

The Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD), has called for national dialogue to address agitations in parts of the country. Executive Director, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development Ambassador Sani Bala, who made the call in a statement yesterday in Abuja, stressed the need to proffer lasting solutions to the recurrent multifaceted challenges of governance threatening the nation’s existence. He noted that the centre is deeply touched by the shared concerns expressed by Nigerians about the unsatisfactory Government’s responses to the challenges of governance in Nigeria. He said “On the 8th of October 2020, a group of…

Atletico Madrid announced the loan signing of French striker Moussa Dembele from Lyon on Wednesday. Dembele will join Atletico until the end of the season when the club will have the option to buy him permanently for around 35 million euros. Atletico have paid an initial fee of 1.5 million euros after Dembele passed his medical on Wednesday morning in Madrid. In a statement, the La Liga club described him as a “powerful striker” with “a knack for goal”. The 24-year-old’s arrival follows Diego Costa’s contract being terminated at the end of December. Dembele will compete with Luis Suarez, Joao Felix and…

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau says the state government is set to prosecute those misinforming people on the existence of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The governor said this during a stakeholders meeting organised to deliberate on the COVID-19 Task Force resolutions on Wednesday in Jos. He expressed concern that many people were living in denial and were imposing their beliefs on innocent residents in the state. He said “for those who are in denial and continue to misinform others that COVID-19 does not exist, I want to warn them to desist. I as the number one citizen of the state…

Paul Pogba says he and his Manchester United team-mates must remain relaxed despite being in the unaccustomed position of topping the Premier League when they travel to champions Liverpool on Sunday. Pogba’s goal secured United a 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday which sent them three points clear of the Reds. United are top of the table after the turn of the year for the first time since they last won the title in Alex Ferguson’s swansong as manager in 2013. Pogba has been more used to headlines in the past few seasons speculating about his future. However, the 27-year-old…

Premier League clubs must set an example in adhering to coronavirus protocols or risk sanctions, the league’s chief executive has warned. The EPL sent out new directives last week including demands that players tone down celebrations such as hugging after goals are scored and avoid handshakes and swapping shirts. EPL chief executive Richard Masters followed that up with a letter to clubs on Tuesday, writing: “We are fortunate to be able to continue to play and bring our competition to fans at home and around the world. “This brings justified additional scrutiny and the Premier League must take the lead…

The Presidency has welcomed a team of Nigerian professors and scientists investigating effectiveness and role of Ivermectin drug in the treatment of the novel coronavirus. Composed of scholars at home and abroad, the group also submitted its report on usefulness of the drug to the World Health Organisation (WHO) that had appointed a peer review expert from the United Kingdom. Speaking yesterday while being briefed on the report by a team of scientists led by the Principal investigator, Prof. Femi Babalola, and the Chief Medical Director, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. Chris Bode, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo expressed satisfaction…

• Alleges sabotage, raises hope of PIB passage • Tinubu greets Senate president at 62 Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, yesterday, expressed disappointment that political leaders have continued to provide excuses as cover up for their failures in governance. According to him, the practice of giving excuses for not being able to deliver good governance by political leaders should be condemned and rejected. Lawan, who made the comment at an event held to mark his 62nd birthday in Abuja, advised all those leading the country at the moment to apply themselves fully to the service of the people as against rendering…

Paul Pogba said he is “always happy” when he is winning after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Burnley that took Manchester United top of the Premier League for the first time in three years on Tuesday. Despite continued speculation over his future, Pogba has played an increasingly important role in recent weeks to aid United’s first serious title challenge since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men now lead defending champions Liverpool by three points ahead of a top-of-the-table clash between the two most successful sides in English football history at…

BY PAT UTOMI If one lesson comes clear from 2020 it is that democracy is in deep crisis in Nigeria where questions abound about the state of the social compact between the people and those who lead and personify the state. Impunity seems so rife the youth mounted peaceful protests on police brutality and were greeted with bullets from the army; people feel the benefits of good governance are eluding them, with poverty so pervasive and insecurity so threatening; and anxiety prevails as Nigeria enters a second recession in five years. What is the state of our democracy and how…