A former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has stated that all petitions arising from various elections should be resolved before the swearing-in of elected officials. Speaking during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain said the move would strengthen and improve Nigeria’s electoral process. The former minister also called for the scanning of ballot papers and the appointment of election auditors to scan election results. He said, “All petitions must end before swearing-in. “We must make sure that nobody takes advantage of the lacuna in the election. We should scan the results – all…
Author: UZDO Media
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in Israel to push for a Gaza truce, said on Monday ongoing negotiations were “maybe the last” chance to reach an agreement to end the war. “This is a decisive moment — probably the best, maybe the last, opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a ceasefire and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security,” Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. The top US diplomat said President Joe Biden had sent him “to get this agreement to the line and ultimately over the line”. “It…
New Delhi’s foreign ministry did not give a date for the visit to Poland and Ukraine, but Indian media reports suggest it will occur later this week. Modi has fought a delicate balance between maintaining his country’s historically warm ties with Moscow and courting closer security partnerships with Western nations as a bulwark against regional rival China. His government has avoided explicit condemnations of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the more than two years since the conflict began, instead urging both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue. Modi’s July visit to Moscow came hours after a Russian barrage hit…
El-Kanemi Warriors coach Aliyu Zubairu has attributed his team’s 1-1 draw against Dadje FC of Benin Republic in their first leg, first round CAF Confederation Cup encounter, to a lack of adequate pre-season matches, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The President Federation Cup champions were held at home on their adopted ground, the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, on Saturday, as they needed a stoppage-time goal by Gimba Ajiji to salvage the result. Selasie Bakia had put the visitors in front during the first half of the encounter, capitalising on the clumsiness of their hosts. El-Kanemi did have chances to get…
Like his compatriot Victor Osimhen, Nigeria international Ademola Lookman will not take part in Atalanta’s opening game of the 2024/25 season, having been left out of their squad after reportedly asking to leave the club for Paris Saint-Germain, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Rumour emerged on Sunday that the French giants had contacted the Nigerian’s entourage and asked about his availability. Although no proposal has been made to the club, being linked to PSG is enough to turn the Nigeria international’s head, with Football Italia reporting that he asked not to be called up for the Lecce game on Monday (today).…
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Jefferson Joshua and Donatus Okoro, accused of invading a community, where they allegedly vandalised vehicles and stole parts, including the brain box. PUNCH Online gathered from a police source on Sunday that the suspects committed the crime around 3 am on July 30 and were arrested on August 8, 2024. Following the report of the alleged invasion and theft, it was learnt that the suspects were tracked to Ileiwe Junction in Ikotun and Idowu Street in Ajegunle. On Sunday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident and…
Nigeria lost 23-22 in a classification match against Chile at the ongoing IHF Women’s World U-18 Handball World Championship in Chuzhou, China on Sunday. In an end-to-end match between both sides, coach Shittu Agboola’s tutoured team matched their Chilean opponent in the same number of shots and had a better shot efficiency than their previous matches but they still fell short as they lost the first half 11-10 to the South Americans The second half was equally poised between both teams as Nigeria scored more goals from the 9 metres, the wings and from fast breaks but scaled through with…
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated the state’s female football team, the Edo Queens, for qualifying for the semifinals of the CAF Champions League WAFU B Qualifier in Ivory Coast. The team defeated Omnisport Etincelle 1-0 in their final Group B match on Saturday. Before the keenly contested match, the Nigerian champions already booked their place in the semifinal after winning their first two group matches. They secured maximum points from three matches in the group, scoring eight goals and conceding none as they head into the next stage with a chip on their shoulders. “I heartily congratulate…
Following the floods that have ravaged farmlands in the northern part of the country, agricultural experts and big-time players in the agro-allied industry have sounded the alarm over an impending food crisis across the country as agricultural fortunes dip in the North. The experts insist that unless urgent and very drastic steps are immediately taken, the crisis may worsen as floods continue to ravage farmlands in the northern states. Ten states, namely Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto and Kebbi are highly affected, following heavy rainfall in the region, The PUNCH learnt. In an interview with The…
A report by the Environmental Resources Management and EnvAccord Limited has revealed that the Kano-Niger rail project will lead to the displacement of 12,695 homes and 2,064 assets on the railway corridor. Commissioned by the Africa Finance Corporation, the report indicates that the project will lead to the loss of 12,695 residential homes and 2,064 other assets across various states in northern Nigeria. These conclusions are outlined in the environmental and social due diligence assessment conducted for the proposed railway line. According to the report, the displacement will affect 19,238 individuals economically, while also leading to the resettlement of numerous…