Following apparent breakdown in negotiations with an ECOWAS delegation, the Niger coup leaders have severed diplomatic relations with France, Nigeria, Togo and U.S.

They announced on National television that the contract of their Ambassadors in those countries have been terminated.

In a quick response Paris said only a legitimate government can cut diplomatic ties.

Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum is detained by the coup makers, who deposed him on 26 July 2023.

Nigeria, current Chairman, Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government had sent a delegation which met with some of the coup leaders on Thursday.

Nigeria has also announced the cut of essential electricity supply to Niger in addition to the sanctions imposed by ECOWAS on the country plus a seven-day ultimatum given the coupists to release and reinstate Bazoum.

There was anti- Nigerian and Western protests in Niamey, the Niger capital on Thursday.

On Friday, President Bola Tinubu sent a letter to Nigeria's National Assembly seeking its approval to implement the ECOWAS decisions and mobilisation of Nigeria’s armed forces for possible military intervention in Niger.

The letter also mentioned a ban on commercial flights to and from Niger and movement of goods from Nigeria to Niger.

This raises the optics for possible military confrontation and the escalation of the Niger crisis even as France and other Western countries begin evacuation of their citizens from Niger.

The Niger coupists might be testing the resolve of the international community at grave risks to themselves and regional peace and security.

However, defence experts and analysts have warned against potential catastrophic consequences and the spiralling of the conflict beyond control through kinetic intervention.

This will exacerbate the insecurity and dire socio-economic situation in the politically restive ECOWAS and Sahel regions.

About 1.2 million candidates registered for the on-going 2023 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), the National Examinations Council (NECO) has said.

The Registrar/Chief Executive of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this in Jos Plateau State, according to a statement by the Head, Information and Public Relations, Azeez Sani on Friday while monitoring the conduct of the examination in some Schools.

Wushishi informed of this figure, 601,074 candidates are male while 584,814 are female.

He expressed satisfaction with the general conduct of the 2023 SSCE based on reports obtained from across the country.

The Registrar said the 2023 SSCE, which would be concluded next week, was the best organised in recent years.

Wushishi stated various measures have been put in place to check examination malpractices, adding that the measures have started yielding positive results.

The Registrar who monitored the examination at Airforce Military School; King and Queens Academy and Emmanuel International College all in Jos, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the examination in these schools.

Prof. Wushishi had earlier monitored the conduct of the 2023 SSCE in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.

A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin has remanded Esther Shehu and David Kpanaki at the federal correctional centre for allegedly conspiring to defraud Alhaji Kamoru Ibitoye Yusuf, owner of Kam Steel Nigeria limited of $400,000.

The defendants were brought to the court on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, screening an offender and obstruction.

The offences contravened sections 97, 322, 167 and 148 of the penal code law and 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud/other related offences act cap A6.

Alhaji Yusuf had written a petition to the deputy registrar of the magistrate court, Ilorin in a direct complaint on July 18, 2023, through Tofa Ahmed & Co Solicitors & Advocates.

According to the Police First Information Report (FIR), one Ibrahim Tenimu Shehu and Jemima Monosoko Shehu, now at large conspired with Kpanaki, who identified himself as the director of Paz Oil, an alleged “fictitious company”, to fraudulently sell a vessel MT ORYX TRADER as MT REMOS to the petitioner.

“You dishonestly presented (that) the vessel (was) free and not subject to any administrative detention, knowing fully well that it is a subject of court order.

“You also used a 16year-old- daughter of one of you, Jemima Monosoko, as Executive Director and an in-law of a suspect as another Director to fraudulently sell the vessel to the petitioner”.

“On the account of fraudulent presentation by Tenimu and Jemima, you, Kpanaki made the petitioner to spend $400,000 in addition to the purchase price of the vessel and you all absconded”, the FIR submitted.

The charge sheet further added that when the suspects were later tracked by a team of Police operatives to Abuja for possible arrest, the second accused, Esther Shehu, obstructed the officers.

“You dishonesty called your accomplice who claimed to be the DPO of the jurisdiction who deceitfully spoke to the operatives to leave the premises, that the suspect Tenimu Shehu Ibrahim (at large), will meet them at the police station by 12pm but rather with help of Kpanaki, whisked him out in a Blue Tinted Toyota Corolla to an unknown destination”, the sheet added.

Prosecutor, Nasir Yusuf, in his submission, told the court that Esther and Kpanaki confessed to the allegation during investigation at the police headquarters, Ilorin.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Imo Command has sacked one of its officers for joining protesters on Wednesday in the special marshals regalia.

Sector Commander of the FRSC in Imo, Evaristus Ebeniro, a Corps Commander, who said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, Imo State capital.

He matained that the officer had been de-marshaled and no longer an officer of the corps.

The Nation reports that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Unions Congress (TUC) embarked on a nationwide protest to register their displeasure with the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Ebeniro said that although the protester was a special marshal of the corps, he had since been de-marshaled and no longer holds a Special Marshals identity card.

He added that the protester was, whilst serving as a special marshal, summoned as a result of inactivity and lack of commitment to duties but absconded and was therefore de-marshaled in absentia in line with the rules of the corps.

He added that the protester was, whilst serving as a special marshal, summoned as a result of inactivity and lack of commitment to duties but absconded and was therefore de-marshaled in absentia in line with the rules of the corps.

“It is now confirmed that the protester who happened to be a unionist was once a special marshal.

“The Command hereby makes it categorically and unequivocally clear that the protester is no longer with the Corps and that he acted alone in that show of shame “, he said.

Just two days after the inclusion of Dr Maryam Shettima (Shetty)’s name on the ministerial nominees’ list submitted to the Senate on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu, on Friday surprisingly withdrew her and replaced her with that of Mariya Mahmoud.

The PUNCH reported on Thursday how Nigerians on social media reacted to Shetty’s nomination. While some praised the Kano State-born Shetty and Tinubu, some others blasted Tinubu for her nomination.

Here are five things to know about Maryam Shettima;

1. Her full name is Maryam Shettima Ibrahim, but popularly known as Maryam Shetty.

2. She was born April 8, 1979 (44 years old)

3. She is a political and social activist. She is a national leader of #WeBelieve, an APC support group.

4. She graduated from Bayero University, Kano, with a distinction in BSc Physiotherapy. She also has an MSc in Sports Physiotherapy from the University of East London.

5. She was once chosen to represent Nigeria at the United Nations General Assembly.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has expressed shock as most actresses in Nigeria have left their husbands.

Edochie spoke about the spate of failed marriages in Nollywood in a recent chat on the ‘WithChude’ podcast.

He also made reference to Chioma Akpotha, Ireti Doyle and Tonto Dikeh’s failed marriages.

The 76-year-old actor said most women make the mistake of thinking the grass is greener on the other side.

According to the ace actor, women should take their wedding vows seriously and remain in their marriages “for better or worse”.

Edochie also argued that “men and women are not equals in the home. In our culture, a man does not kneel to offer a ring to a woman”.

“If you come to our industry today, most of our girls who got married two or three years ago have all left their husbands,” he said.

“I was even shocked to hear that Chioma Chukwuka, Ireti Doyle, Tonto had also left.

“You know you take a vow when you are getting married for better or worse. Not for better for us but for better or worse.

“You will always think it is greener on the other side. That is the mistake that we all make.”

Edochie and his wife Josephine celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary in October last year.

With several awards and recognition, the actor has established himself as a household name in the Nigerian movie industry.

The Federation of International Football Association confirmed on Friday that it is investigating an allegation of misconduct in relation to the Zambian women’s national team in the ongoing Australia and New Zealand 2023 World Cup.

Coach Bruce Mwape was accused of rubbing his hands over the chest of one of his players, The Guardian reported Thursday.

The allegation came two days before the team’s final group game against Costa Rica.

A FIFA spokesperson said, “FIFA takes any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously and has a clear process in place for anyone in football who wants to report an incident.”

He stated further details can’t be given as investigation is going on, but he confirmed that the football body has received the complaint.

“We can confirm that a complaint has been received in relation to the Zambian women’s national team and this is currently being investigated. We cannot provide further details regarding an ongoing investigation for obvious confidentiality reasons,” he stated.

The spokesperson further said, “Anyone who wishes to report allegations or information related to abuse in football can do so via FIFA’s confidential reporting platform, with all information that is submitted to FIFA handled in the strictest of confidence.”

He also said FIFA takes “the strongest possible sanctions” when guilt is established.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the world football governing body provides support to witnesses.

“In addition, FIFA offers support and assistance to ensure the safety of those who report a safeguarding issue, including witnesses who come forward and give testimony in FIFA Ethics cases. Where guilt is established, FIFA takes the strongest possible sanctions, including removing people from the game for life. Our track record demonstrates this,” he assured.

The Football Association of Zambia announced last September that it had referred a report regarding allegations of sexual abuse within the women’s football team to FIFA.

According to a report by The Guardian, Mwape was among those being investigated.

Upon the publication of The Guardian’s article, which featured an anonymous player saying “if he [Mwape] wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes,” the FAZ referred to the statement it made last September.

This year’s FIFA World Cup tournament is the first in which the Zambian women team ever participated.

The team beat Costa Rica to record the country’s first-ever victory at the finals, although they exited the tournament at the group stage after defeats to Japan and Spain.

Zambia’s win in their World Cup debut has been overshadowed by the allegations against Mwape, who has been in charge since 2018. The news conference prior to their game against Spain ended early due to persistent questions about a prior investigation relating to misconduct within women’s football in Zambia.

Captain Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji were both on target as they recorded a first-ever victory in what was the first World Cup appearance for any Zambian team, men or women.

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking its support for military intervention against the military junta in the Niger Republic.

He also sought the backing of the legislature on the cutting off of electricity to the country.

The PUNCH had reported that Niger’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was toppled by his guards.

Tinubu, Nigeria’s president and the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States, had on Sunday met with some fellow ECOWAS leaders to discuss appropriate ways to restore democracy in Niger.

The leaders of the West African regional bloc met to discuss sanctions to be placed against the military personnel who toppled Bazoum on July 26, 2023.

The President’s letter read, “Political situation in Niger. Following the unfortunate political situation in Niger Republic culminating in the overthrow of its President, ECOWAS under my leadership condemned the coup in its entirety and resolved to seek the return of the democratically elected govt in a bid to restore peace, ECOWAS convened a meeting and came out with a communique.”

The president further sought support for, “Military buildup and deployment of personnel for military intervention to enforce compliance of the military junta in Niger should they remain recalcitrant.

“Closure and monitoring of all land borders with the Niger Republic and reactivating of the border drilling exercise.

“Cutting off Electricity supply to the Niger Republic, mobilising international support for the implementation of the provisions of the ECOWAS communique.”

“Preventing the operation of commercial and special flights into and from Niger Republic; Blockade of goods in transit to Niger especially from Lagos and eastern seaports,” he added.

Tinubu also told the Senate that the country was embarking on sensitisation of Nigerians and Nigeriens on the imperative of these actions, particularly via social media.

The immediate past Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has reacted to his nomination as a minister.

Naija News earlier reported that President Ahmed Tinubu included Keyamo in a fresh list of ministerial nominees sent to the Senate.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced this on Friday while reading a letter sent by the president during plenary on Friday.

Reacting to his nomination in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle, Keyamo appreciated God for the appointment with a popular Gospel song.

He wrote: “He’s a miracle-working God. He’s a miracle-working God,He’s the Alpha and Omega, He’s a miracle-working God!”

This development comes hours after Keyamo was mocked on social media after his name was missing from the second batch of ministerial nominees.

It would be recalled that Keyamo and former Minister of Aviation, Femi-Fani Kayode were actively one of the leading voices on Twitter during the 2023 presidential election that saw the emergence of Bola Tinubu as president.

Following their missing names, some Nigerians besieged both the Twitter account of Keyamo and Fani-Kayode to query and mock their omission from the ministerial list.

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu assigned two delegations to address the crisis in Niger Republic.

A delegation led by Nigerian diplomat Babagana Kingibe was dispatched to engage with the leaders of Libya and Algeria, while another delegation, headed by former Nigerian Head of State Gen.

Abdulsalami Abubakar, was sent to Niger to swiftly resolve the current political impasse.

Tinubu, who chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, charged both delegations to robustly engage with all stakeholders and work towards an amicable resolution that promotes African peace and development, avoiding the adoption of geopolitical positions from other nations.

“We don’t want to hold brief for anybody. Our concern is democracy and the peace of the region,” the Nigerian President said.

Speaking after the meeting, Abdulsalami said the delegation would meet the coup leaders in Niger to present the demands of the ECOWAS leadership.

“We have just been given our marching orders to go to Niger and convey the feelings of our Heads of State in the region that they are not happy with what happened.

“And then gave them an ultimatum that the coupists should desist from what they are doing and give back power to an elected President.

“We are going there to convey this message to them and hear their response and report back what they have said,” Abubakar explained.

On his part, Kingibe said talking with Libya and Algeria, two countries bordering Niger to the North, would stimulate the solidarity required for peaceful talks.

“Of course, this kind of situation requires solidarity. It requires coordination with all parties that are relevant to the situation.

“In that regard, Libya and Algeria are also very important neighbours of Niger. So, my mission is to go there with a message from President Tinubu; to brief them on the ECOWAS position and solicit solidarity and cooperation,” Kingibe said.

He expressed optimism that the talks would avert a possible military intervention.

“We hope to find a diplomatic solution. Nobody wants to go to war, especially with neighbourly, brotherly people across the border with whom we share a common language, culture and religion,” he said.

On the Abdusalami’s delegation is the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray.