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States and FCT to Take Part in Selecting Airlines and Feeding Pilgrims: Senate

16May

By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments

News

States and FCT to Take Part in Selecting Airlines and Feeding Pilgrims: Senate

An amendment bill on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Act passed for the second time in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill aims to involve states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in selecting airlines for Hajj operations. Additionally, it seeks the participation of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards in feeding pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir under NAHCON's oversight. The bill's sponsor, Senator Abbas Aminu Iya (PDP, Adamawa Central), highlighted that NAHCON was established in 2006 to regulate Muslim pilgrims. He raised concerns about the current practice where states' Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards manage accommodation and food for their pilgrims in Mecca, while NAHCON handles these aspects for all pilgrims in Madina and Masha’ir, causing inconvenience and hin...

European Football Spots Up for Grabs in EPL: Tottenham, Chelsea, Man Utd in Contention

16May

By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments

Sports

European Football Spots Up for Grabs in EPL: Tottenham, Chelsea, Man Utd in Contention

As the Premier League season draws to a close, the race for European football intensifies. Securing places in the Champions League next season are Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. Meanwhile, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United are battling it out for European qualification. In recent matches, United claimed a 3-2 victory over Newcastle, while Chelsea triumphed 2-1 against Brighton. As it stands, Spurs hold fifth place with 63 points, followed by Chelsea in sixth with 60 points, Newcastle and United both tied at 57 points in seventh and eighth positions respectively. The teams finishing fifth and sixth will secure spots in the Europa League if Manchester City clinches the FA Cup. In that ...

Rooeny: Unlucky Newcastle Denied Key Penalty vs Man Utd

16May

By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments

Sports

Rooeny: Unlucky Newcastle Denied Key Penalty vs Man Utd

When Newcastle United faced Manchester United at Old Trafford, they were deemed 'unfortunate' for not being awarded a crucial penalty, said former England striker Wayne Rooney. The opening goal was scored by Kobbie Mainoo for Manchester United. Although Anthony Gordon equalized shortly after halftime, goals from Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund put the home team in the lead. A late magnificent strike by Lewis Hall added tension to the match, but Erik ten Hag’s team ultimately secured the win. The controversy arose when Sofyan Amrabat appeared to clip Gordon inside the penalty area after losing possession. Despite this, both referee Rob Jones and the VAR team concluded that there was not enough contact to award a penalty. Rooney, however, voiced his disagreement with the officials’ call...

Rumors suggest that Arsenal is leading the race to sign a £64m striker, as Arteta gains favor

16May

By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments

Sports

Rumors suggest that Arsenal is leading the race to sign a £64m striker, as Arteta gains favor

According to reports by the UK Telegraph, Arsenal’s competitors are of the opinion that Mikel Arteta’s team is well-positioned to secure the services of RB Leipzig’s striker, Benjamin Sesko. Last summer, Sesko made a €24 million switch to the Bundesliga club from Red Bull Salzburg. Over the course of the season, the 20-year-old has managed to find the back of the net 17 times for Leipzig. Manchester United has also taken an interest in Sesko, as evidenced by his agent's presence at Old Trafford during last Sunday's match against Arsenal, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Gunners. Despite this, Arsenal has shown significant interest in recruiting Sesko and is contemplating a potential move in the upcoming transfer window. Chelsea is also eyeing Sesko, as they aim to bolster their atta...

Chelsea’s Reece James to Sit out First Three Matches of Next Season

16May

By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments

Sports

Chelsea’s Reece James to Sit out First Three Matches of Next Season

Next season's Premier League will kick off without Chelsea's captain, Reece James, who is facing a suspension. During their 2-1 victory over Brighton, the English defender was shown a straight red card for an incident involving Joao Pedro. James was sent off shortly after being brought on as a substitute, just 19 minutes into the game. Following a VAR review, referee Michael Salisbury checked the pitchside monitor and decided to send off James with a straight red card. This incident marks James's second expulsion this season and will force him to miss four matches in total. As a result, he will be absent from Chelsea's final Premier League fixture against Bournemouth and the first three matches of the upcoming season.

15May

By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments

News

Chairmanship of Nigeria-Finland Parliamentary Group Assumed by House of Representatives’ Deputy Spokesman Agbese

Philip Agbese, the deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has been selected to lead the Nigeria-Finland Parliamentary Friendship Group as its chairman. In a communication dated May 14, 2024, from the Office of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, Agbese was officially appointed to this position. As the head of the group, Agbese will be joined by a team of six Nigerian parliamentarians, with Okere Tochukwu Chinedu (Imo) serving as the deputy. Other members of the group include Richard Olufemi (Ekiti), Ekpo Paul (Akwa Ibom), Akiba Bassey Ekpenyong (Cross Rivers), Saba Ahmed Adam (Kwara), and Fulata Abubakar Hassan (Jigawa). Abbas has tasked Agbese and his colleagues with strengthening Nigeria's legislative ties with Finland in accordance with the 10th National Assembly Legislative...

15May

By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments

News

Residents of Zamfara State Express Concerns Over the High Cost of Living

In Zamfara State, residents are struggling with severe economic challenges, leading them to feel like they are merely surviving rather than truly living. For Ibrahim Isah, a seller of millet, the increasing prices of food items have dissuaded customers from visiting the markets. He expressed his dismay, saying, "We rely on customers, but now there is no affordable food available in the markets." One local welder named Mr. Ezeugo disclosed that his family has not been able to afford chicken in a long time. He explained, "The economic difficulties, combined with the rise in fuel prices, have caused a decline in customers as people are focusing on providing food for their families." He shared his struggle to pay his children's school fees and highlighted that two of his kids are cur...

The Registrar of NECO Expresses Concerns About Computer-Based Tests Implementation

15May

By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments

Education

The Registrar of NECO Expresses Concerns About Computer-Based Tests Implementation

In a recent media chat with journalists in Abuja, the Registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, hinted that the adoption of computer-based tests (CBT) for NECO examinations may face some delays. According to Wushishi, the complexities of NECO's wide range of examinations pose challenges for an immediate transition from paper-based to CBT formats. He emphasized the scale of NECO's operations, stating, "NECO is the largest examination body, examining close to 1.5 million students in 76 subjects and over 150 papers, particularly for the SSCE exams for tertiary admissions." Wushishi further explained, "Given the intricate nature of our exams, especially the essay components across various papers, transitioning to CBT requires careful consi...

El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United to Clash in NNL Super Eight Opening Fixture

15May

By Ofomata EdidiongNo Comments

Sports

El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United to Clash in NNL Super Eight Opening Fixture

Set to kick off the Nigeria National League Super Eight playoff tournament is the match between El-Kanemi Warriors and Nasarawa United. The tournament draw took place on Wednesday in Abuja, unveiling exciting fixtures. Other matchups include Sport Supreme against Sokoto United, Beyond Limits against Madiba FC, and Ikorodu City FC against Inter Lagos FC. Scheduled to take place from June 7 to June 14, 2024, all games will be held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. From this competition, four teams will earn promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League. The ultimate champion of the NNL Super Eight playoff tournament will be crowned the 2024 NNL champions.

NUC Informs ASUU: FG Working on Lists for Varsities Governing Councils

15May

By Mariam AbdullahiNo Comments

Education

NUC Informs ASUU: FG Working on Lists for Varsities Governing Councils

The acting executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Chris Maiyaki, has suggested that the Federal Government is in the process of organizing the governing councils of universities. Sharing this insight on Wednesday, Maiyaki responded to the strike threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, concerning the alleged delay by the Federal Government in constituting the councils. Maiyaki confirmed that a panel has been set up by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, to finalize the lists. Once the list is complete, the councils will be inaugurated, according to Maiyaki. At a media interaction with education journalists in Abuja to discuss the ministry’s efforts, Maiyaki mentioned, “Reconstituting the councils of 61 universities is a considerabl...