Author: David Great

Says departing ministers to be replaced without delay President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja bade farewell to outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), affirming that a significant number of them have been sufficiently equipped to aspire to higher elective offices, including the Office of the President. Speaking at a valedictory session for appointees leaving the cabinet to pursue political ambitions, the President said: “I have no doubt that if the next President emerges from among former members of this cabinet, like any other aspirant, ample competence and outstanding service delivery would be on display. This will be…

Elon Musk on Friday put his $44-billion deal for Twitter Inc temporarily on hold, citing pending details in support of calculation that spam and fake accounts indeed represent less than 5% of users. Shares of the social media company fell 17.7% to $37.10 in premarket trading, their lowest level since Musk disclosed his stake in the company in early April and subsequently made a “best and final” offer to take it private for $54.20 per share. The implied probability of the deal closing at the agreed price fell below 50% for the first time on Tuesday, when Twitter shares dropped…

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, has deleted a tweet that condemned the heinous killing of Deborah Samuel by her colleagues who accused her of blasphemy. The former Vice President reacted to the gruesome murder of Deborah, a Christian who was accused of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed in a WhatsApp group. Condemning the action, Atiku wrote, “There can not be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends,” he wrote. His tweet was however met by stiff…

Aston Villa have signed former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho on a permanent deal from Barcelona. The Brazilian, 29, moved to Villa Park on loan in January in a deal which included an option to buy at the end of the season. He has now signed on a contract running until 2026 for 20m euros (£17m) and is understood to have taken a considerable wage cut from his deal in Spain. “This is a brilliant signing for Aston Villa,” said manager Steven Gerrard. “Phil is a model professional and his impact on the group has been very clear since he joined…

Chelsea want to complete the signing of Sevilla and France defender Jules Kounde, 23, early in the summer window. (Give Me Sport) Kounde was close to agreeing a deal to join the English club during the January transfer but both clubs failed to agree a fee. Newcastle will make a summer bid for Everton and England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, 25, as a priority target. The Magpies have held a prolonged interest in the player, as have Arsenal. (Telegraph – subscription required) Bayern Munich have joined the race for Manchester United’s soon-to-be free agent Paul Pogba, with Juventus, Paris St-Germain, Real…

A female Nigerian student, Deborah Samuel, was beaten to death and set on fire by fellow students who accused her of posting “blasphemous” statements in a student WhatsApp group, two witnesses and police said. The Sokoto-based college was immediately shut down following the heinous and devious attack on Deborah. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of the student, who was identified as Deborah Samuel, said a spokesperson for the Sokoto state command. Reuters was not able to reach her family for comment. “There is a WhatsApp group being used by the students and her Muslim colleague student…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, mocked Nigerians who have been debating the legality and morality of his decision to want to remain CBN governor while seeking to contest for the office of presidency. Emefiele who have repeatedly denied vying for the office of President went to court to seek clarification on whether or not he can remain CBN governor while contesting for the office of President. His lead counsel, Mike Ozekhome, argued in court that his client is a public office holder and not a civil servant, adding that, his appointment his tenured. But the debate…

Edo Police Command on Thursday said it had arrested a mother of four caught with a suspected human skull. SP Kontongs Bello, the command’s Public Relations Officer, said this in Benin City while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command within the last two weeks. Bello also said that the command within the period arrested 16 suspects within the state for various crimes. The mother of four caught with the suspected human skull had advised other women not to get involved in selling of human parts no matter the financial gains, saying it is evil. Narrating her level of…

Tottenham turned up with pressure on arch-rivals Arsenal in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League with an emphatic north London derby victory. Arsenal could have confirmed a place in the Premier League’s top four with a win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but endured a dismal night to now stand only one point clear of Spurs with two games left. In a feverish atmosphere, Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead from the spot in the 22nd minute after Son Heung-min was fouled by Cedric Soares, then added a second before the break with a stooping far-post header…

By Wale Adeduro Steve Harvey, the notable American television host and actor, commenting during the 50th year anniversary of the United Arab Emirate, noted that it was the love of the leaders for their people that brought massive innovation and development to the land that was once a desert. He commended the leadership of the United Arab Emirate for caring about their people. Indeed, John Maxwell, the world’s foremost leadership expert, once said that “people don’t care about what you know until they know that you care”. The leader who should succeed PMB is a leader who has shown that…