Author: David Great

President Bola Tinubu has revealed that he nearly withdrew from the presidential race but was encouraged to continue by his former placeholder, Aminu Masari, and a few close allies. Speaking at a special Iftar at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday night, Tinubu recounted a moment of doubt during his campaign. His comments were captured in a statement signed by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. The president described the obstacles he faced in his bid for office, sharing a particular encounter that nearly made him reconsider his ambition. “Those close to me know that the odds were against me. During…

Hamas has agreed to release five Israeli hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, according to Egyptian officials cited by the Qatari New Arab news outlet. “The ball is now in the Israeli government and Americans’ court,” the officials stated, highlighting the intensive involvement of the United States and Qatar in the ongoing negotiations. The proposed ceasefire would last approximately 50 days. In addition to the release of the five hostages, Hamas is also demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners. The agreement includes provisions for aid delivery, ensuring food, medical supplies, and other essential items…

Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has explained why he did not select former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as his running mate. According to Atiku, Wike was not suitable for a ticket aimed at fostering unity. In a statement issued by his media office on Saturday, Atiku emphasized that his choice of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, was based on “a combination of intellect, composure, and statesmanship.” Atiku, in a recent interview, reaffirmed that he had no regrets about overlooking Wike for the vice-presidential slot in the 2023 election.…

Crystal Palace secured their place in the FA Cup semi-finals with an impressive 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage, extending their winning streak to six consecutive away matches without conceding. The Eagles welcomed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta back into the starting lineup following his injury in the previous round. However, it was Fulham who dominated the early exchanges, with Rodrigo Muniz nearly opening the scoring within two minutes, only to see his curled effort miss the target. Marco Silva’s side maintained control but struggled to beat Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Andreas Pereira came close after an excellent run from Calvin…

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has urged his team to show greater consistency as they prepare for their FA Cup clash against Preston North End. Speaking in a press conference ahead of the fixture, Emery highlighted the club’s historical struggles in the tournament, noting that while Villa last lifted the trophy in 1957, they have frequently fallen short in the latter stages, including four runner-up finishes. With Villa aiming for their eighth FA Cup title, Emery was asked how the current squad compares to previous seasons. “Two years ago, we finished the season strong. We drew against Liverpool and won…

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has declared his intention to “finish off” Ukraine, reinforcing his aggressive stance on the ongoing war. Speaking aboard a newly commissioned Russian nuclear submarine during a visit to an Arctic naval base, Putin addressed the crew, stating: “Not long ago, I said we’d grind [Ukraine] down—now it looks like we’ll finish them off.” The Russian leader also took a swipe at the UK, ridiculing its economic position and military strength. His remarks were in response to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of an Anglo-French “reassurance force” to Ukraine following a…

A violent clash erupted in Abuja on Friday as Nigerian soldiers confronted members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, during a protest against what they described as “injustice against Palestinians by Israel” in the Gaza Strip. A widely circulated video captured the Shi’ites gathering in large numbers at Bannex, Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse 2, where they voiced their concerns over the situation in Gaza. This protest took place just hours after the United States Embassy in Nigeria issued a security alert, cautioning its citizens about planned IMN demonstrations in Abuja and other major cities. The…

Fuji musician Alhaji Taye Adebisi, popularly known as Taye Currency, has reaffirmed his respect for Wasiu Alabi, aka Pasuma, describing him as his boss, while referring to Saheed Osupa as his colleague. In a recent interview with Akede Ariya, Taye Currency clarified his relationship with Pasuma, stating that although he never learned Fuji music from him, he holds him in high regard. “I met Pasuma in 1993, and since then we have been together. I didn’t learn Fuji music from him, I just love him because he is a humble person. It is not that I’m disrespecting him or anything.…

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appointed the Founder and Group Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, to its Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship and Growth. This council, convened by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, comprises global business leaders, policymakers, and academics dedicated to identifying and addressing regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship. According to a statement released on Friday, the council’s mandate includes recommending policies that enhance resource allocation, stimulate innovation, and drive sustainable private-sector-led economic growth. Elumelu, a prominent advocate of entrepreneurship in Africa, has played a pivotal role in supporting over 25,000 African entrepreneurs through his foundation since 2015. His…

A report by the CLEEN Foundation has revealed that six people were killed in Niger State during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest. The foundation also disclosed that a total of 23 people lost their lives during the demonstrations, all from northern Nigeria. This was made known on Thursday in Minna, Niger State, during the presentation of the report titled “Report on the Conduct of Law Enforcement Personnel during the August 2024 Nationwide Protest in Nigeria.” The findings contradict the claims of the then Niger State Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmaman, who has since been promoted to Assistant Inspector General of…