Former President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, hosted members of the National Youth Service Corps posted in Daura, his hometown of Katsina State during the Eid el-Kabir celebration. A former presidential aide, Buhari Sallau, shared photos from the visit on his X account with the caption, “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, addresses NYSC members in Daura when
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested eight suspects in connection with a recently discovered artisanal crude oil refinery operating in Abia State.
The NSCDC disclosed this in a statement posted on X.com on Sunday.
The large expanse of land used for the illegal operation was said to be hidden within a swamp forest that housed no fewer than 200 local cooking ovens used to process the stolen crude.
The statement read, “Commandant General Special Intelligence Squad (CG SIS) arrests eight suspects in a newly discovered artisanal crude oil refineries, operating on a large expanse of land with no fewer than two hundred local cooking ovens inside the swamp forest in Abia State.”
According Online reported in April that the NSCDC dismantled a bunkering site in the Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State.
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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has marked Father’s Day with a poignant message, celebrating the joys and responsibilities of fatherhood.
In a statement on X.com on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu reflected on fatherhood’s multifaceted nature, noting that it encompasses “responsibility, love, and dedication, with a dash of kitchen duties.”
He emphasized that being a good father requires sacrifice, patience, and a commitment to excellence, which are values that guide him both at home and in his leadership of the state.
Sharing photos he wrote, “Fatherhood for me is about responsibility, love, and sometimes, a call to kitchen duties. It demands sacrifice, patience, and dedication to being the best we can be for our families.
“As a father and leader, I strive to nurture and provide in every role, ensuring my home thrives. The same dedication I bring to my family, I bring to serving Lagos.
“The love and principles we uphold in our families guide me daily as your governor.
“Together, we build a stronger, more caring community. Happy Father’s Day.”
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England got their quest for a first major tournament title in 58 years off to a winning start as Jude Bellingham’s header was enough to beat Serbia 1-0, while the Netherlands grabbed a late 2-1 win over Poland on Sunday.
Christian Eriksen enjoyed a fairytale return to the European Championship, three years after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch, by scoring the opening goal, but Denmark were held 1-1 by Slovenia.
England had been hyped as one of the favourites for the tournament as Gareth Southgate aims to finally steer a richly-talented generation to glory.
However, England left plenty of room for improvement in a flat tournament debut in Gelsenkirchen.
Bellingham was the exception as the Real Madrid midfielder confirmed his status as one of the world’s rising stars with a man-of-the-match display.
The 20-year-old became the first European player to grace three major tournaments before turning 21.
And he capped a brilliant individual display with the only goal when he headed in Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross on 13 minutes.
“Jude Bellingham is made up of amazing people. It’s not just me. It’s because I have such a great support network,” said the match-winner.
Harry Kane saw a late header turned onto the bar by Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
But England were forced to see out a nervy finale as Jordan Pickford turned over Dusan Vlahovic’s dipping drive before Kane headed away Veljko Birmancevic’s goalbound shot.
The match had been declared as “high risk” by German police and there were minor clashes between rival fans before kick-off which saw seven Serbian fans taken into custody.
– Super sub Weghorst –
For the Netherlands, Wout Weghorst struck in the 83rd minute, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute, to secure an opening Group D victory against Poland, who were without the injured Robert Lewandowski.
“I am very happy. This is indescribable, especially at a final tournament. So special. This is personally a dream scenario,” said Weghorst.
“The absolute goal is to win that cup together.”
Dutch fans packed the streets of Hamburg, creating an orange wall of noise hours before kick-off.
It was the Poland supporters whose voices echoed around the Volksparkstadion when Adam Buksa headed their team in front early on, but Cody Gakpo levelled an entertaining encounter before the half-hour mark with the aid of a deflection.
Gakpo, Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries all went close as the missed chances piled up for the Oranje, and Ronald Koeman’s men looked to be running out of ideas until Weghorst swooped to slot home a deserved winner.
The Dutch, the 1988 winners, are hoping to end a poor recent Euros record, having not even reached the quarter-finals since 2008.
Earlier, police shot and injured a man who threatened them with an axe and a Molotov cocktail in Hamburg before kick-off, although a police spokesman said there was no indication the incident was linked to the game.
– Eriksen delight –
Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s opening game at the delayed Euro 2020.
Exactly 1,100 days on, the Manchester United midfielder put the Danes in front with a sweet strike in Stuttgart.
“I do think this time my story at the Euros is very different from the last one,” said Eriksen.
“Luckily it’s been a lot of games since the last time and since it happened. I felt confident in playing again, so in that sense, I was just happy to be back playing.”
After the shock of the Eriksen incident, Denmark rode a wave of emotion three years ago to reach the semi-finals.
Yet, they disappointed in a group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup and failed to get off to a winning start as Erik Janza’s deflected effort earned Slovenia a point.
Next up for the Danes is a rematch of their Euro 2022 semi-final against England, while Slovenia take on Serbia on Thursday.
AFP
Troops of the Nigerian Army on security patrols during Eid al-Kabir celebrations in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State have eliminated a terrorist, Daushe, identified as an associate of a notorious commander.
The NA disclosed this in a statement posted on X.com on Sunday.
The statement read, “In a proactive move to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens during the ongoing Eid-El-Kabir celebration in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, troops deployed for special patrols to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for all residents have eliminated a terrorist identified as a cohort of a notorious terrorist commander known as Buharin Yadi, who was eliminated by troops in a recent encounter.
“The terrorist met his waterloo when troops projecting fighting patrol to Kidandan, a village in the Giwa LGA, spotted him speeding off on a motorbike in an attempt to evade the approaching patrol.
“The vigilant troops swiftly pursued the terrorist, causing him to abandon his motorbike and fled into a nearby settlement.”
The statement added that the troops continued to trail the fleeing terrorist until they caught up with him and killed him while he was trying to escape into the bush at the outskirts of the community.
“Upon searching the area, the troops recovered the abandoned motorbike, two bags containing corn flour, and a mobile phone from the neutralised terrorist,” the statement read.
The statement added that intelligence sources confirmed Daushe’s identity as a collaborator of Buharin Yadi, a terrorist recently eliminated by troops in the same region.
According reported on Friday that troops of Operation Whirl Punch killed 36 bandits, including Buhari Alhaji Halidu, otherwise known as “Buharin Yadi,” one of the deadliest bandit leaders terrorising the North over the years.
Following the killings, residents of the Kaduna-Katsina border communities were said to have gone into wild jubilation.
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, revealed on Sunday that the English giants had admitted courting Thomas Tuchel to replace him but opted to persevere with the under-pressure Dutchman when “they came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager”.
The 54-year-old Ten Hag was the subject of intense scrutiny after United ended last season eighth in the Premier League — their lowest finish since 1990 — and crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage.
But he did help salvage something from the campaign thanks to a 2-1 FA Cup final win over local rivals Manchester City at Wembley that also secured a place in next season’s Europa League.
“The club management came to me while I was on holiday in Ibiza,” Ten Hag told NOS on Sunday while working as a football pundit for the Dutch broadcaster.
“They suddenly showed up on my doorstep and told me they wanted to continue with me. It was a turbulent season. Never a dull moment.”
Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino and Kieran McKenna, the boss of newly-promoted Ipswich, were both touted for a job where there was technically no vacancy — Ten Hag’s contract with United is about to enter its final season.
Other managers linked to United included Graham Potter, Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi and current England boss Gareth Southgate.
But it was former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel who attracted United’s interest.
The German reportedly met with United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, only to appear to rule himself out.
But Ten Hag said United chiefs had flown out to Ibiza to tell him they wanted him to stay in post.
“Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager.”
Ten Hag, reflecting on the club’s end-of-season review, added: “As in any organisation, it is wise to evaluate. Manchester United did that too. The new owner (Ratcliffe) is new to football, he has taken his time.
“They have indeed told me that they have spoken to other managers. That is not even allowed in the Netherlands. Then it is forbidden to talk to other coaches if there is still a trainer (manager).”
Ten Hag, who joined United from Ajax in 2022, said while he had yet to conclude talks on a contract extension he was still confident of a new deal that would keep him at Old Trafford.
“We have had good discussions with each other, various topics have been discussed,” he said. “The conclusion is that we will continue together and that they will extend my contract.
“We still have to reach an agreement on that.”
Ten Hag is United’s fifth permanent manager since the end of Alex Ferguson’s trophy-filled reign in 2013, following David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
South African former president Jacob Zuma on Sunday said his new party would join an opposition alliance to coordinate resistance to the government while maintaining its challenge to the general election results.
“The 2024 elections were rigged” the uMkhonto weSizwe party spokesman Nhlamulo Ndhlela said, reading out a statement on behalf of the 82-year-old ex-leader.
“We have instructed our legal team to take any steps possible both inside of South Africa and internationally to ensure that justice is done.”
He added, “At the right time we will call on our people to demonstrate their dissatisfaction against all these injustices peacefully, in the streets, in the court and even in parliament until our grievances are addressed.”
The MK also said it would join a newly formed parliamentary grouping that includes several mostly leftist opposition parties represented in parliament.
The “Progressive Caucus” is currently led by the radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters, which won 39 seats in the new parliament.
Zuma sat quietly as his speech was read out, occasionally answering questions from the press.
The MK came third in the election, winning 14.6 per cent of the vote and 58 parliamentary seats.
On Friday, the party boycotted the country’s first parliamentary sitting where Zuma’s long-term political foe Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected as president for a second term.
The party announced it had launched a fresh court bid to dispute the “rigged” election results.
It had already gone to court to try to prevent the new parliament from convening and lodged a separate complaint over alleged election irregularities.
Several other parties have also complained to the country’s electoral body and lodged legal complaints.
– An ‘unholy alliance’ –
Ramaphosa, who will be inaugurated on June 19, will lead what he calls a government of national unity after the May poll produced no outright winner.
The national unity government includes the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA), the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party and other smaller groups.
The deal got a frosty reception from the opposition parties.
Ndhlela for the MK denounced the new coalition as a “white-led unholy alliance” that “must be crushed before it finds its feet”. He accused the ANC of going to “bed with the racists”.
The EFF dismissed the idea of working with rivals holding radically different political views, such as the DA.
Zuma has been a bitter rival of Ramaphosa’s ever since he was ousted by his own party, the African National Congress, under a cloud of corruption allegations in 2018 and replaced by Rampaphosa.
AFP
The Pan-Niger Delta Forum has condemned the removal of the former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Solomon Arase, describing it as “unwarranted, and an unnecessary provocation”, which reflects negatively on the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The According reports that President Tinubu had last Tuesday appointed retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Hashimu Argungu, as the new Chairman of the Police Service Commission, ending Arase’s tenure.
Arase was appointed in January 2023 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
PANDEF said Arase’s removal portrayed the Tinubu-led administration as one which did not regard competence and integrity but sacrificed merit on the altar of favouritism.
This was contained in a statement signed by the National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Essien, on Sunday, who asked the President to tell Nigerians what had warranted Arase’s dismissal, noting the reforms the former PSC Chairman had instituted during his tenure.
The statement partly reads “We, hereby, express profound disappointment, and denounce the unjust manner in which Dr. Solomon Arase, a former Inspector General of Police, was relieved of his duties as Chairman of the Police Service Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, 10th June 2024.
“PANDEF views Arase’s removal as unwarranted, and an unnecessary provocation that reflects negatively on Tinubu’s administration, indicating a lack of regard for the nation’s laws that Mr. President swore to uphold and protect.
“This singular act further portrays this administration as one that does not prioritise competence, integrity, and efficiency; sacrificing merit on the altar of favouritism. The pivotal question remains, “What warranted Solomon Arase’s removal from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu?”
PANDEF urged “Tinubu to tell Nigerians, and the world, at large, the reason or reasons for Arase’s removal. We stand against injustice, oppression, and likewise, misconduct.
“The question arises as to why any serious government would dismiss a personality like Solomon Arase, who had initiated positive reforms and improvements at the Commission, and given his meritorious track record as a diligent police officer, who rose through the ranks to become the 18th Inspector General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force and retired with dignity.”
Essien stated that the President had contravened the law under Section 3, subsection (1)a of the Police Service Commission Act 2002, subject to the provisions of Section 4 of the Act, which provided for a four-year term for the PSC Chair, noting that past Presidents had appointed former Chairmen for the stipulated four-year
Essien said, “According to Section 3, subsection (1)a of the Police Service Commission Act 2002, subject to the provisions of Section 4 of the Act, a member of the Commission, other than ex-officio members, shall each hold office for a term of four years and no more.
“It is important to recall that when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, he retained Sir Mike Okiro as Chairman of the Police Service Commission until the end of Okiro’s tenure, appointing Musiliu Smith, also a former IGP, in May 2018 to succeed Okiro. Sir Mike Okiro, the 13th Inspector General of Police from 2007 to 2009, was appointed as Chairman of the Police Service Commission in May 2013 by Buhari’s predecessor, former President Goodluck Jonathan.”
PANDEF also alleged marginalization of its people by the Tinubu administration, adding that political considerations should not be entertained in appointing a chairman for the PSC.
They cautioned the President against continued disregard for the Constitution as it sent the wrong message to citizens and posed a threat to Nigeria’s stability.
Essien said, “It is pertinent to implore that political considerations mustn’t be entertained in appointments to sensitive institutions such as the Police Service Commission.
“Mr President should likewise note that the continued disregard for the constitution and the rule of law by the government not only mirrors negatively on law enforcement officers, the military, and political leaders but also sends a dangerous message to citizens, posing a threat to Nigeria’s stability.”
The Nigeria Police Force has refuted the statement made by a former Senator, Shehu Sani, during the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner, where he alleged that some individuals who were involved in the 2020 EndSARS protests are still being detained.
Speaking at the dinner on Wednesday, Sani called on President Bola Tinubu to pardon the EndSARS protesters, who are still in detention.
In a press release signed by the Force’s spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, the police denied the assertion, stating that all detained persons have been processed in accordance with the law and none are currently held in custody.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force categorically denies the recent allegations made by Senator Shehu Sani at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner on June 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the former Senator falsely claimed that some young people have been detained since the 2020 EndSARS protest.
“The Nigeria Police affirms that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria due to the EndSARS protest.
“All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained.”
The statement further cited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as having pardoned about 100 suspects who were arrested during the EndSARS protests.
“For emphasis, no one anywhere in Nigeria is under police detention or being wrongly persecuted for participating in the EndSARS protest.
“The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learned. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on,” the statement added.
The police further urged the public to disregard the claim and remain assured of their commitment to upholding justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
“We encourage verifying information before making public statements to avoid harm and incitement,” the statement concluded.
In a detailed letter to President Bola Tinubu, Chief Edwin Clark, a former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, has urged the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Clark drew parallels with the case of Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, who had terrorism charges dropped against him.
Clark emphasized the need for a political solution to address the demands of the Igbos, who feel marginalized and short-changed in the country. He stressed that releasing Kanu would complete Nigeria’s reconciliation and end the Monday sit-at-home order in the South-East.
While acknowledging his disagreement with IPOB’s methods, Clark advocated for a united Nigeria where all citizens have equal rights. He advised the government to adopt a “carrot and stick approach” instead of military force in addressing IPOB youths’ grievances.
The elder statesman also reminded President Tinubu of his longstanding support for restructuring, essential for a united Nigeria. He urged the President to reassure Nigerians of their oneness and equality, emphasizing that no section owns the country more than any other.
Clark’s letter, titled “PART II: A CALL FOR THE REINTEGRATION OF THE IGBOS INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF NIGERIA AND A CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF NNAMDI KANU BY MR PRESIDENT ON POLITICAL GROUNDS AS IN THE CASE OF THE MIYETTI ALLAH PRESIDENT ABDULLAHI BELLO BODEJO,” reiterated his stance on the need for Nigeria’s unity and equal treatment of all citizens.
“I have never supported the activities of IPOB under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu, but today, Nigeria, a broken country where many groups and nativities have cried foul to the way Nigeria had been going since 1999 because of the Military Constitution imposed on Nigerians by the Military. Today, our economy is failing, our democracy is failing, our education and health institutions are collapsing, the youths are jobless, and some people are treated as second-class citizens while a few enjoy the fruit of the so-called democracy we are passing through, coupled with the violence and insecurity in the South-East; and if allowed to continue, the consequences will be very unpleasant to all Nigerians.”
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“It would be recalled that during the gubernatorial election, Nigerians were informed that the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu had disowned Simon Ekpa led faction of IPOB. It was partly as a result of this, that the elections were peacefully held in Anambra State which brought Prof Chukwuma Soludo into power.”
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu by Mr President on political grounds is overdue as earlier explained. Mr President should direct the Attorney General to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu who has shown his intention to work with the Federal Government, in order to bring peace and stability in the South-East and to Nigerians as a whole as it has been recently done in similar cases of treasonable felony as in the case of Miyetti Allah president, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state.”
“Mr. President, the recent adoption of the Independent National Anthem by all Nigerians imposes on us that we must practice what we preach and the release of Nnamdi Kanu is one of such cases. I respectfully wish to remind you or draw your attention to the first stanza of our National Anthem thus; “Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all, and proud to serve Our sovereign Motherland.”
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