Immortalise Kudirat Abiola, activists tell FG

Pro-democracy civil organisations on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to immortalise the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola who was killed 23 years ago.

She died in the struggle to actualise the June 12, 1993 election won by her husband, Chief Moshood Abiola.

The election was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida.

The activists, who gathered at the Ikeja home of Chief Abiola to lay wreath and offer prayer to the fallen amazon, demanded for speedy conclusion of the case of those standing trail for the murder of Kudirat.

Chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu said Kudirat Abiola sacrificed her life to make Nigeria better.

He urged Nigerians not to allow the sacrifice by Abiola to be in vain, calling on all lovers of freedom and democracy to live by the ideas she died for.

The NADECO chieftain said: “The most important thing now is keep her ideas alive.

“We call on the relevant authorities to ensure poverty is banished, security must be provided and others.

“Kudirat virtue has been extolled on many occasions, but I must say there was June 12 before June 4. Again June 4 came about because of June 12. We must not allow her to die in vain.”

Rights activist Femi Aborishade said government must end poverty to make the honour bestowed on M.K.O Abiola realistic.

He said government pronouncement on June 12 as democracy day fell short of expectations when the people have nothing to eat or shelter over their heads.

“I know of certain that the poor are united in this country but the power that or the politicians have been working hard to keep us divided.

“They killed Kudirat because they believed she would preserve the unity of the downtrodden.

“They killed her because they don’t her to provide the example for others to learn from, that you can actually confront them and demand for your rights.”

Read Also: Remembering Kudirat Abiola 23 yrs after: 11 things you probably didn’t know about her

President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Odumakin said government should immortalise Kudirat by naming a national monument after her.

She added the slain activist should recognised as official First Lady, noting all insignia of office be given her posthumously.

According to her: “Kudirat Abiola died for humanity and to banish poverty. Her record in promoting democracy is unparalleled.”

Responding, Alhaji Jamiu Abiola, appreciated the efforts of pro- democracy group to keep the memory of Kudirat Abiola alive.

He said: “We see the pro- democracy groups as part of the Abiola family. Most of you have committed cash and kind to the struggle, just to keep the memory alive. This to us is the greater sacrifice.

“By this act, we call on everyone to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption.

“He cannot singlehandedly win the fight if other people stay aloof. We urge government official and members of the National Assembly to join had to deal with this monster.

“This is the major reason the people have continued to wallow in poverty.”

Eid-el-fitr: Prices of fresh food condiments skyrocket in Yobe as basket of tomatoes goes for N17,000

Barely 48 hours to this year’s Sallah celebrations, prices of tomatoes, pepper, onions and other condiments have skyrocketed in Yobe State.

It has now become a tradition in the state and around the country that, whenever it is a festive period, marketers have ways of inflating prices of commodities to the detriment of end users.

A market survey conducted by DAILY POST today in Damaturu Sunday market showed that the hike in the prices of these ingredients was as a result of scarcity coupled with high demands for the festive period.

Pepper is one of the condiments where its price has gone up as a measure now goes for N500 which was N100 before this period.

Ibrahim Idris, a trader at the market said, “There is absolute scarcity of the commodity (pepper) and the supply we have cannot gratify the needs of end users.

“The problem is not from us the petty traders. It is from the dealers who bring it in large quantity and even them (dealers) are complaining that the prices have gone up in places where they are the commodities.”

Another condiment that is untouchable due to exorbitant price, is tomatoes as investigations revealed that, a basket full of the commodity is sold at the cost of N17, 000, while a bag of 50kg of onions goes for a N6,500.

Pepper and tomatoes among other condiments are mostly grown and brought to Yobe State from Plateau, Taraba, Nasarawa Kano and Benue States with the exception of onions, which are grown within the state.

The prices of all these commodities were very affordable before this period as it was gathered.

Champion League: Mourinho, Wenger blame one Tottenham player for 2-0 loss to Liverpool

Former Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger and ex-Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho have blamed Harry Kane for Tottenham’s defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League final in Madrid on Saturday.

Kane was named in the starting XI nearly two months after suffering ankle ligament damage in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City.

The Englishman struggled to get into the game in the first half, with Jurgen Klopp’s side taking a 1-0 lead into half time.

Both Wenger and his old rival Mourinho spoke on beIN SPORTS studio.

Wenger noted that Kane did not look fit enough to play.

“He doesn’t look ready and overall only Son [Heung-min] looked dangerous, especially going in behind [Trent] Alexander-Arnold,” he said.

And Mourinho agreed with the former Arsenal boss that Kane slowed things for Tottenham.

“The reality is that Tottenham had 61 per cent of ball possession but had zero shots on target,” Mourinho said.

“They missed lots of passes, they couldn’t link play.

“Harry Kane was hidden all the time.

“They missed lots of passes, they couldn’t link play.

“Harry Kane was hidden all the time

“He normally drops back, normally comes in-between the lines, normally he’s the link player.

“He receives the ball from one side, he goes in-between the lines, he turns, plays with the other full-back of the other side, he arrives in the box

“Nothing of this dynamic [has happened],” he added.

NEWS‘Release Dasuki, negotiate with El-Zakzaky’ – Sheikh Gumi tells Buhari govt

 

Renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has called on the ‎Federal Government of Nigeria to release former Security Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) from prison.

The Islamic Scholar also called for the release of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, Leader, Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.

Sheikh Gumi made the plea while closing this year’s Tafsir Lecture at Sultan Bello Mosque Saturday in Bauchi State.

He said the government should obey court orders to set the two persons free from detention.

Sheikh Gumi also said there was no basis for their continued detention since they have been ordered by court to be set free.

He said the Federal government should also dialogue with Sheikh Zakzaky instead of keeping him in detention.

“Here in Nigeria, I will like the government to look into the case of Colonel Sambo Dasuki and release him with immediate effect so also the Leader of shiites, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.

“They are not holding him ( Zakzaky) because he is Shi’ite. They should release and negotiate with him. Government should understand that it’s not right to disobey court orders.

“The government must lead by example by releasing them especially Colonel Sambo Dasuki,” he said.

IMN extending its terror activities beyond Nigeria – CSO reacts as Shi’ites burn US, Israeli flags in Abuja

The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance has condemned the burning of the American and Israeli flags by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), better known as Shiites in Abuja.

DAILY POST reports that Shiites ablaze the national flags of the US and Israel during a massive protest in Abuja on Friday.

The protesters, who converged on Wuse market junction, described both countries as enemies and oppressors of the people of Palestine.

Abdullahi Musa, secretary of the academic forum of the movement, said the flags were burnt to show anger against the countries over their “oppressive tendency” against Palestine.

But reacting, CDDGG said IMN was extending its terror activities beyond Nigeria.

According to a statement by Gabriel Ajibili, Executive Secretary, the recent burning of the flags of the United States of America, as well as that of Israel by members of the IMN, was an indication of a more significant threat in the pipeline as posed by the IMN, whose history is replete with violence, aggression and complete disregard for constituted authorities in the country.

The statement called on the authority to designate IMN as a terrorist organization in the interest of peace and tranquility.

The statement added, “The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance views such act as highly provocating and an attempt to drag Nigeria into a diplomatic row with the United States of America and Israel.

“The IMN has clearly shown to the world that it is indeed a violent organization with backing from an international network that continues to fund its activities and consequently dictates to it acts to carry out such as burning of the flags of the United States of America and Israel.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance condemn in its entirety the actions of the IMN and calls on the relevant security agencies to throw their searchlight on the IMN to identify their sponsorship network.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance states in unequivocal terms that the IMN by its recent actions is indeed acting on behalf of some interest groups that are bent on seeing the disintegration of Nigeria.

“These interest groups having identified the IMN as a violent and extremist organization have decided to discreetly carry out their plot to destabilize Nigeria as evident in the posturing of the IMN in Nigeria in recent times.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance condemns the burning of the flags of the United States of America and Israel by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and views such as acts of terrorism.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance consequently call on the United Nations to act swiftly in the overall interest of Nigeria by designating the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, a terrorist organization.

“The United Nations would wish to note that the history of the IMN in Nigeria has been replete with acts of terrorism that have led to the death of hundreds of innocent Nigerians. The IMN has also continued to harass and intimidate innocent Nigerians through their nefarious activities.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance views the threat posed by the IMN in Nigeria with great concern and therefore states that unless urgent steps are taken, the terrorist activities of the IMN might consume Nigeria and by extension sub-Saharan Africa.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance believes that the time to act is now by designating the IMN as a world terrorist organization as there is sufficient evidence that suggests the IMN is acting on behalf of an international conspiracy by burning the flags of the United States of America and Israel.

“The Coalition in Defence of Democracy and Good Governance states that the urgency of now requires the United Nations and other critical stakeholders in the act of ensuring the entrenchment of peace all around the world to take proactive steps in addressing the menace as posed by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.”

Trump announces choice to replace ex-British Prime Minister, May

US President, Donald Trump, has said Boris Johnson would be an “excellent” choice to replace British Prime Minister, Theresa May, days ahead of a state visit to London.

“I actually have studied it very hard. I know the different players,” he said in an interview with the Sun tabloid.

“But I think Boris would do a very good job. I think he would be excellent.

“I like him. I have always liked him. I don’t know that he is going to be chosen, but I think he is a very good guy, a very talented person.”

The US president also said other candidates in the race to replace May, who will step down as leader of the Conservative party on June 7 after failing to push her Brexit deal through parliament, had also sought his endorsement.

“I don’t want to say who but other people have asked me for endorsements, yes.

“I could help anybody if I endorse them. I mean, we’ve had endorsements where they have gone up for forty, fifty points at a shot,” Trump claimed.

The president also criticized May for playing a weak hand in her Brexit negotiations.

“I think that the UK allowed the European Union to have all the cards. And it is very hard to play well when one side has all the advantage.

“I had mentioned to Theresa that you have got to build up your ammunition.”

Transfer: Manchester United make promise to Matthijs de Ligt

Manchester United have made a promise to Ajax youngster, Matthijs de Ligt in order to lure him to Old Trafford.

United, according to the Telegraph, have vowed to give De Ligt a starring role should he reject Barcelona move.

Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s side are keen to hijack Barcelona’s deal for De Ligt.

The 19-year-old helped Ajax win the Eredivisie title this season and also starred as they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The player has long been expected to swap Ajax for Barcelona, with the La Liga giants already signing his team-mate Frenkie De Jong.

The Telegraph reports that Manchester United are aiming to secure the services of the player and have promised him a starring role at the club.

PSG star, Neymar in rape scandal

A woman has accused Brazilian footballer, Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report seen by Reuters.

She was alleging that the world-renowned sports star drunkenly assaulted her at an up-market hotel in the French capital.

The accusation was the latest blow for Neymar, who last month was stripped of the captaincy of the national team and has seen his international reputation suffer amid incidents of indiscipline.

The Brazilian’s representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Globo website, which first reported the news, said a representative for Neymar declined to comment, awaiting details of the allegations.

Neymar’s father, Neymar Sr., said in a local TV interview: “If public opinion is not cleared up, and if we can’t show the truth rapidly, this will snowball.

“If we have to show Neymar’s WhatsApps and the conversations with this girl, we will, because it is clear that it was a trap.”

He added that they were living “difficult moments.”

According to the police report, the unnamed woman told investigators in Sao Paulo that she met Neymar on Instagram.

She claimed he then suggested they meet in Paris, where he plays for Paris St Germain (PSG).

Neymar’s assistant sent her plane tickets and on May 15 she checked in to the Hotel Sofitel Paris Arc Du Triomphe, according to her account.

The Sofitel hotel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The woman told police that Neymar arrived at the hotel that night “apparently drunk,” and that they talked and “caressed.”

“However, at some point, Neymar became aggressive, and through violence, practised sexual intercourse against the will of the victim,” the police report says.

The woman told police she returned home to Brazil two days later without telling French police about the alleged rape.

She said this was because she was “emotionally shaken and afraid to register the facts in another country,” according to the report.

Neymar is currently in Brazil, training with the national football team ahead of this month’s Copa America.

Late last month, the country’s football federation replaced him as captain for the tournament with his PSG team mate Dani Alves.

Earlier in May, Neymar was banned for three matches by the French football authorities for hitting a fan after PSG’s French Cup final loss to Rennes.

He was also reportedly involved in a dressing room fracas with his PSG team mates.

PSG did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Brazil’s football federation (CBF) also declined to comment.

'Good News' to release on December 27

Mumbai, April 27 (IANS) The much-awaited Kareena Kapoor Khan-Akshay Kumar starrer 'Good News' is slated to release on December 27, the makers said.

Producer of the film, Karan Johar Tweeted, "Delivering #GoodNews for a good year ahead! See you 27th December!"

The film is directed by Raj Mehta and explores the subject of surrogacy. It also features Diljit Dosanjh, Kiara Advani and Jimmy Sheirgill.