Author: David Great

Says 6,259,229 PVCs are uncollected The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says a total of 87,209,007 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected across the 36 States of the federation and the FCT. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, revealed this in “The summary of registered voters and PVCs collected for 2023 general elections”, released to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja. The number of collected PVCs, according to INEC, represents 93.3 per cent of 93,469,008 total registered voters. It also revealed that the total number of uncollected PVCs was 6,259,229, representing 6.7 per cent. The documents revealed that Lagos has…

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Punch have apprehended one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022 terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train service. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known at the bi-weekly news briefing on the operations of the armed forces, on Thursday in Abuja. Danmadami said the Abuja-Kaduna train attack suspect was one of the three terrorists apprehended by the troops at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Feb. 14. He said the operation led to the recovery of two motorcycles, mobile phones, the sum…

Angel Di Maria scored a hat-trick as Juventus eased to a 3-0 win at 10-man Nantes on Thursday to reach the Europa League round of 16 4-1 on aggregate. Juventus only managed a 1-1 draw against the French side in the home leg as they eyed a long run in the European competition to boost a miserable campaign in which they have been deducted 15 Serie A points for financial irregularities. “I am happy with the performance, it was not an easy game after the first-leg result, as the crowd here is very passionate,” Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri told Sky…

Brazilian forward Antony stepped off the bench to send Manchester United through to the Europa League last 16 as the hosts came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in Thursday’s playoff second leg and progress 4-3 on aggregate. After a frantic start, Barca were awarded an 18th-minute penalty when Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have fouled defender Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski just squeezed the spot-kick home. United came out for the second half looking like a different side and levelled through Fred, the Brazilian steering home Fernandes’s pass two minutes after the break. A superb save from goalkeeper David…

President Joe Biden of United States on Thursday said all Nigerians deserve to choose their next leader freely and fairly as the west African country votes on February 25. Biden urged the political actors to ensure that the election is peaceful, urging candidates and parties to accept the outcome of the presidential election. “I commend yesterday’s peace accord in Nigeria,” Biden said in a statement, referring to a pledge signed by all candidates on Wednesday to seek redress through the courts for any grievances. “By signing this pledge, the parties and candidates have committed to accept the results of the…

Okays sale of defunct NITEL property in Moloney to Lagos State The National Council on Privatization (NCP) has approved the appointment of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) as the preferred bidder for the concession of the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Plant. The NCP, which held its second meeting of the year on Tuesday, is chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with members drawn from the public and private sectors. The meeting also approved the commencement of the process of negotiations and the execution of the concession agreement with Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited. The approvals were some of the highlights of the…

Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate has announced that presidential campaigns will come to an end by midnight, February 23. A statement by Dele Alake, the APC PCC, special adviser media, communications and public affairs urged the media to take note. “On behalf of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I hereby announce to the general public that all campaign activities of the party and that of our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, towards Saturday’s presidential election will come to a conclusive and decisive end by midnight today, Thursday, February…

Chelsea will sell England midfielder Mason Mount in the summer, when he will have a year left on his contract, if they fail to agree a new deal with 24-year-old. (Athletic – subscription required) Arsenal are set to battle Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle and Juventus for the signature of Real Valladolid’s 18-year-old Spanish right-back Ivan Fresneda. (Standard) England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 28, is close to signing a new contract with Everton. (Times – subscription required) Barcelona manager Xavi says he is in “constant contact” with Argentina forward Lionel Messi, whose deal at Paris St-Germain runs out in the summer, and that the 35-year-old would be be welcomed back “home” to the Spanish club if he wanted to…

Manchester City paid the price for failing to make the most of their first-half dominance as they were held to a draw by RB Leipzig in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. The away side were in complete control in the first 45 minutes and got the breakthrough midway through the half when Ilkay Gundogan pounced on a mistake in defence and fed Riyad Mahrez to drive into the back of the net. But RB Leipzig came out in the second half with more ambition and twice went close to equalising early on through Benjamin Henrichs, who…

Substitute Romelu Lukaku scored the only goal as Inter Milan beat 10-man Porto in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. Lukaku converted a rebound after his first effort had bounced off the post in the 86th minute at the San Siro. Porto had a double chance at 0-0 but Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana denied both Zaidu Sanusi and Mehdi Taremi. The visitors had Otavio sent off in the 78th minute for two bookable offences and conceded eight minutes later. The second leg takes place at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday, 14 March. Lukaku, who has played…