Author: Chief Editor

Mother of Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi school-girl remaining in Boko Haram captivity, Mrs. Rebecca Sharibu, has doubted the commitment of the federal government, especially President Muhammadu Buhari to securing her release from Boko Haram terrorists. Mrs. Sharibu, who spoke in an interview with the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in London, said she has serious doubts Buhari was serious about securing the release of her daughter. She however said she was in London to seek the assistance of the the British Government to free Leah from the terrorists’ captivity. She is due to meet British Prime…

Kano Council of Ulamas has challenged the decision of the state government on banning of street begging, insisting such policy should not emanate through mere pronouncement. Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on Wednesday declared street begging illegal, and ordered arrest of any child beggar in the state. Ganduje who spoke while unveiling basic education distribution services as part of integrated policy of free education for Almagiri, also threatened to charge parents of such child beggars to court. Addressing journalists in Kano, Chairman of the council, Sheik Ibrahim Khalil who challenged Ganduje’s policy insisted the government lacks the political will to enforce…

A bill for the establishment of a commission to address the infrastructure deficit in the southwest geopolitical zone yesterday scaled through second reading on the floor of the House of Representatives. Sponsored by Mr. Olufemi Fakeye and 80 others, including Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, the piece of legislation is entitled, “A bill for an act to establish South West Development Commission charged with responsibility, among others to receive and manage funds from allocation of the Federation Account, including donations and gifts, for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of raids, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region and the need to…

• How mutual suspicion fuelled NSA, CoS feud After weeks of a reported rivalry between the Chief of Staff (Cos) to the President, Abba Kyari and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd), they met yesterday for the first time. Kyari and Monguno were in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to witness the inauguration of a 12-member National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) by President Muhammadu Buhari. For weeks, the duo has been at daggers drawn, with the NSA accusing the CoS of undue interference in matters bordering on national security, a role which is originally within the purview of his…

Olusegun Adeniyi While blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for “the problems associated with candidates’ selection process” in the party, the Director General of the Progressives Congress Forum, Mr. Salihu Lukeman added that democracy in Nigeria is now anchored not on the choice of the electorate, but on “what can be regarded as an electoral college”. As he put it, “Citizens can vote but our Supreme Court will eventually determine the winner.” His reaction was to the internal contradictions within APC but he could not have been more apt about what democracy has…

Bruno Fernandes has added a new dimension to Manchester United’s play, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who believes the Portugal international provides an “X-factor”. Fernandes – a long-term target for United – arrived late in the January transfer window from Sporting CP in a deal worth £46.5million (€55m) up front and up to £21.1m (€25m) in add-ons. Since signing, Fernandes has made three Premier League starts, netting his maiden United goal in a 3-0 victory over Watford at Old Trafford on Sunday. The 25-year-old’s impact has delighted Solskjaer, who has previously compared the playmaker to former United players Paul Scholes and Juan…

According to Christian Falk, Leroy Sane is still hoping to secure a transfer to Bayern Munich in the summer and the Bavarian giants have not ruled out making a move for him. The German international is all set to return to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2019 but a long-term injury in Manchester City’s FA Community Shield victory against Liverpool scuppered his dream move, as Bayern opted to pull the plug on the deal at the time. Since then, the explosive winger has been constantly linked with a move to the reigning Bundesliga champions, with reports emerging that the Bavarians would make a…

From the shadow of Chernobyl’s nuclear wasteland to international super-stardom and from penniless arrival in the United States, without a word of English, to estimated earnings of at least $300 million. For a long time Maria Sharapova’s story was the stuff of Hollywood dreams, a testament to the power of one individual to make it, whatever the odds, whatever people think. A drugs ban in 2016 and persistent injuries cast a shadow over her career and on Wednesday, with an announcement in Vogue magazine, the 32-year-old brought her eventful career to an end. “How do you leave behind the only…

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has lavished praise on teammate Robert Lewandowski, as the striker’s inspired showing in the second half buoyed the Bavarians on to a stunning 3-0 victory against Chelsea in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie at Stamford Bridge. The Polish international was at the top of his game and left Frank Lampard’s side with a mountain to climb in the second leg, as he scored once and recorded two assists to put the Bavarians on the brink of the quarterfinals. Speaking in the wake of their deserved victory, Alaba said that the 31-year-old is one…

Prince Harry asked to be introduced as just “Harry” at an event on Wednesday, kicking off a final round of public engagements before he and wife Meghan step back from their royal duties. The Duke of Sussex, a grandson of Queen Elizabeth II, will stop using “His Royal Highness” from the end of March when the couple stop being working royals. But at a conference in Edinburgh for his sustainable tourism project Travalyst, it emerged he was already adopting a more informal approach. “He’s made it clear that we are all just to call him Harry, so ladies and gentlemen…