The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), under whose umbrella Governor Abba Yusuf swept to victory in the March 18 governorship exercise, has rejected the Appeal Court judgment sacking the Kano leader.

In its Friday ruling, the court concurred with the judgment of the tribunal – two months ago – which ruled that the party’s fielding of Yusuf breached the Electoral Law as he was not qualified to contest that poll. It thus declared the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Nasiru Gawuna as the winner of the election.

About one day after the judgment, the NNPP said it was surprised over the verdict on the governorship election in one of Nigeria’s key states and described it as “ridiculous”.

‘Most Ridiculous Judgments’

“To say the least, we were shocked at the miscarriage of justice delivered on Friday 17th of November, 2023 on the governorship election petition of Kano State,” NNPP’s Acting National Chairman Abba Ali told journalists at a Saturday news conference in Abuja.

“In spite of overwhelming evidence presented to the tribunal by our team of lawyers, the tribunal passed one of the most ridiculous judgments in the history of election jurisprudence in Nigeria and unjustly declared the APC candidate, who had never joined the petition, as the winner of the election.

“It is therefore unbelievable that the appeal court will refuse to look at the merit of our party’s appeal and cling to the erroneous issue of membership that has already been settled severally [sic] by both the appeal and Supreme Court.”

‘Miscarriage Of Justice’

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State gives a broadcast in reaction to his Appeal Court loss on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Already, Governor Yusuf, who unseated the ruling APC in the state to sweep to victory, has rejected the judgment sacking him. He labelled it a “miscarriage of justice”.

“After careful study and rigorous stakeholder engagement, my team and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have decided to approach the Supreme Court on the miscarriage of justice, delivered by the Appeal Court, yesterday in Abuja,” he in a broadcast to residents of the North-West state in the wake of the judgment.

While heading to the apex court to contest the decision, Governor Yusuf is “optimistic that the Supreme Court will by the grace of Allahu SWT set aside these miscarriages of justice by the Tribunal and the Appeal Court, and reaffirm our mandate, as given by the good people of Kano State”.

The Appeal Court ruling is coming over six months after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Yusuf as the winner of the election.

Following the declaration, the APC candidate had conceded defeat to Yusuf, ascribing the move to his faith.

Watch the full video below:

Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Alumni Association (HHHFAA), Nigeria, says enhancing leadership quality of present and future leaders will reposition Nigeria as a global attraction.
Mrs Abosede Oyeleye, President, HHHFAA Nigeria, said this during a news conference ahead of the 45th Anniversary of the fellowship on Friday in Lagos.
Oyeleye noted that the country has brilliant minds, energy, hard-working citizens and natural resources endowment to unlock its growth potential.
According to her, the time for transformational leaders in Nigeria is now.

In celebrating the anniversary, Oyeleye said that alumni of the fellowship would converge to advance solutions to shared challenges and celebrate impact of the programme to global society.
She noted that a national seminar on leadership would hold on Dec. 8 in Lagos, with immediate relatives of Hubert Humphrey joining virtually from Washington and Minnesota.
Other speakers include U.S Consul General Will Stevens; former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro; Eghobamien-Msheila, Vice-Chairperson, United Nations Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (UN-CEDAW), among others.
Also, Ms Amanda Brown, Acting Public Affairs Officer, U.S Consulate Lagos, acknowledged the significance of cultural exchange programmes to both countries.

Brown said that the spirit of Hubert Humphrey lives on through the work of the alumni who impact lives and communities through their passionate commitment to public service.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Programme was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The fellowship is a specialised, non-degree exchange programme for accomplished mid-career professionals.
It takes beneficiaries from designated countries, including Nigeria to the United States for one-year long graduate level study that focuses on leadership development and professional collaboration with U.S. counterparts at select U.S. universities.

Nearly 5,000 men and women from 157 countries have been honoured as Humphrey Fellows since the Programme was established in 1978.
Some Nigerian Alumni of the fellowship include former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode; former Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Opeyemi Oke; Dr Reuben Abati, Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, among others.

(NAN)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has offered some insight into the fracas that transpired between its security operatives and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel at its Kaduna State Zonal Command on Friday.

Hours after the clash, the commission, in a statement by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said some “unruly NAF Officers” stormed the Kaduna command “in a commando- style”, to forcefully release their detained colleagues.

“Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 13, 2023 arrested five suspects at a residential Inn and Disney Chicken Eatery, Barnawa, Kaduna following credible intelligence about their alleged internet-related fraud activities,” the statement said.

“However, after the sting operation, six military personnel who witnessed the operation at Disney Chicken Eatery, stormed the Kaduna Command and attempted to forcibly release the arrested fraud suspects. They were subdued and detained over the security breach.”

See the full statement below:

Facts of the Face-off Between EFCC and NAF Officers in Kaduna

Operatives of the Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday, November 13, 2023 arrested five suspects at a residential Inn and Disney Chicken Eatery, Barnawa, Kaduna following credible intelligence about their alleged internet- related fraud activities.

The suspected fraudsters: Favour Itung, Rachael Ande, Zuleiman Haruna, Abubakar Ismaila and Solomon Olobatoke, were arrested without incident.

However, after the sting operation, six military personnel who witnessed the operation at Disney Chicken Eatery, stormed the Kaduna Command and attempted to forcibly release the arrested fraud suspects. They were subdued and detained over the security breach.

The intruders are four Air Force personnel : Lawal Abdullahi, Chukwuma Chidi Christian, Alfa Suleiman and Emmanuel Ekwozor, and two students of Nigerian Air Force Institute of Technology, AFIT: Chidera Anuba and Joseph Tokula.

While in detention, there were inter- agency communication and discussions by the leadership of the EFCC and the Nigerian Air Force, NAF to resolve the issues.

Unfortunately, dialogue on the release of the combative Air Force personnel broke down on Friday, November 17, 2023 when some unruly NAF Officers stormed the Kaduna Command in a commando- style, to forcefully release their detained colleagues.

The EFCC exercised restraint in the face of the provocation and flagrant abuse of power. The Commission continued to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Air Force and released the officers to the NAF Provost after they had been duly profiled.

The EFCC wishes to assure the public that it will continue to carry out its statutory mandate of tackling all cases of economic and financial crimes, without let or hindrance.

Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
November 17, 2023

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for an end to the use of strikes as a means of expressing grievances against the government.

He was speaking when he represented the visitor, President Bola Tinubu, at the 24th combined convocation of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID, Borno State.

“It is no longer fashionable to insist on confrontation as a tool for demanding improved welfare conditions for your members,” he said on Saturday.

“Incessant strikes are very detrimental to the system and so the option for dialogue must remain paramount in resolving any issue or crisis.”

According to him, the Federal Government is always ready to dialogue with unions in the country to resolve labour issues.

The vice president also called for collaborative efforts in funding the nation’s education system, saying the government alone cannot do it.

Shettima, along with three eminent Nigerians, was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the university which is holding its first convocation since the 2018/2019 academic session.

‘Start an Enterprise’

At University of Maiduguri Convocation:

 

VP @officialSKSM Inspires Graduands, Harps On Education As Service To Humanity

Bags Honorary Doctorate Degree

The University of Maiduguri was on Saturday enveloped in a frenzy of academic recollection as Vice President Kashim Shettima… pic.twitter.com/ThTtns59VX

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) November 18, 2023

 

At the event, the Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Aliyu Shugaba called on the graduating students to embrace entrepreneurship

“Every success in life brings with it challenges. You are graduating today, our nation is faced with myriads of problems. I believe the university has adequately prepared you to contribute to proffering solutions to these problems,” he said.

“The era when graduates look up to the government for answers to all problems is fast fading. I encourage you to specifically utilise your entrepreneurial training in the university to decide your employability status. Start an enterprise, no matter how small your capital or idea is.”

Over thirty-three thousand students graduated and were awarded certificates from the university with one hundred and forty-seven bagging first class.

A breakdown of the graduating students shows that eight hundred and seventeen students bagged master’s degrees, and one hundred and thirteen PhDs. Others got a first degree from the regular university and other affiliate colleges.

The Lagos State Government has commenced the demolition of distressed buildings in the Oyingbo, Ebute-Metta area of the state.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Oluyinka Olumide who led the demolition exercise on Saturday, said occupants of the affected buildings were served notices but refused to vacate them.

He said that the government was compelled to resort to the demolition of the structures to protect lives as most of the buildings failed the structural integrity test.

“The primary responsibility of government is to protect lives, so we can not wait and allow the buildings to collapse and kill people,” he said.

He stressed that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would continue to cherish the lives of residents of the state, regardless of their tribe or religion.

According to him, he decried the situation in which occupants of affected buildings refused to evacuate the buildings after enough notice, adding that life was more important than buildings.

The commissioner therefore enjoined owners of distressed buildings to take the initiative of pulling down the structures. He urged them not to wait for the government to do so as it would confiscate any land where it removed distressed structures.

The General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) Arc. Gbolahan Oki added that the demolition of distressed structures in the area had become a necessity, considering the danger that the buildings posed to other adjoining structures and the lives of residents.

“We cannot fold our arms and allow irregularities to continue to thrive in this area, where lives of innocent people would be at risk because of the lackadaisical attitude of a few individuals who have refused to do the right thing,” he said.

Oki also appealed to Lagosians to feel free to always inform the government about distressed buildings and other physical planning infractions noticed within their neighbourhoods.

Scotland will not face the firepower of Erling Haaland in Sunday’s Euro 2024 qualifier after the Manchester City striker was ruled out with a foot injury.

Haaland was hurt in Norway’s 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands on Thursday.

The match at Hampden is a dead rubber with Scotland already assured of their place in Germany next year, while Norway face an anxious wait to see if they will drop into the playoffs via their Nations League ranking.

Haaland said he is focused on being back fit as soon as possible with City facing Liverpool in a top-of-the-table Premier League clash on Saturday.

“Unfortunately, I am missing tomorrow’s game against Scotland. Wishing the boys all the best. Now treatment and trying to get back asap,” Haaland, who has 17 goals in 18 games for City this season, posted on social media.

The Norwegian Football Federation said the injury is “not serious” but that the game in Glasgow comes too early for the 23-year-old.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke said he had mixed feelings about not coming up against one of the world’s most feared strikers.

The outcome of the game will help determine whether Scotland are second or third seeds for the Euro 2024 draw on December 2.

But Clarke said it was a shame for the Hampden crowd to miss out on seeing Haaland live.

“For the crowd, it would have been great to see a player of Haaland’s standard,” he said.

“If it was a game that really meant something I’d probably be sitting here saying, ‘yeah, delighted he’s not playing’. But for the game tomorrow, it would be better I think if he played.”

Jannik Sinner reached the final of the ATP Finals on Saturday, beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1 in front of passionate home support in Turin.

World number four Sinner is the first Italian to make the final of the season-ending tournament. He will face either Novak Djokovic or Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.

The 22-year-old now the chance to win the biggest title of his career at the end of his best season, in which he has won four tour-level titles.

Two of those wins, in Vienna and Beijing were earned by beating Medvedev in the final. The Russian is ranked third in the world.

“It’s very difficult to play against him, but I found a way to win. I’m really happy with my performance, let’s see how things go tomorrow,” said Sinner.

“It’s an incredible feeling… It’s a privilege to play under this kind of pressure… The crowd has given me so much energy and for me it’s a pleasure to play in front of home fans.”

Sinner took early control in game four of the first set when he broke Medvedev’s serve and then fought back from 0-30 down in the next game to take a 4-1 lead.

Huge applause rang around the arena when Sinner served out the set, but Medvedev did not immediately wilt in front of the vociferous support for the home favourite.

The pair went at it toe-to-toe in the second set, holding their respective serves and slugging it out in long baseline rallies.

Medvedev eventually struck back in the tie-break, his powerful service game too much for Sinner who started to show signs of being ground down, even if it was the Russian who called for treatment straight after drawing level.

But an inexplicably bad second game in the third set from Medvedev, ending with a double fault, handed a break of serve to Sinner.

Medvedev became increasingly irritated with his own errors and the partisan crowd, following up one lost point by gesturing towards a spectator after smashing his racket into the floor.

The game was up for Medvedev once he was broken again in game six.

Sinner needed nearly the best part of 10 minutes and three break points to get the double break and close in on victory, which he sealed with a perfect service game to love.

Saturday’s other semi-final promises to be a blockbuster clash as Djokovic continues his bid for a record-breaking seventh finals title.

The world number one has a burgeoning rivalry with Alcaraz. as the Spaniard is already a two-time Grand Slam champion at the age of 20 and beat the Serbian in an epic five-set Wimbledon final.

Title holders Kano Pillars earned their first win of the second phase of the Ardova Handball Premier League 2023 in Lagos.

Kano Pillars dispatched Benue Buffaloes 33-24 to stay fifth in the men’s standing.

Lagos Tojemarine Academy continued in their good form as they defeated Correction Boys 29-22.

Lagos Seasider Boys struggled to defeat Confluence Stars 24-22 while Safety Shooters eased past Police Machine 29-19.

League leaders, Niger United outscored bottom-placed  Bendel Dynamos 36-17 as De Defenders secured a vital 25-22 victory over Sokoto Rima Strikers.

In the women’s category, defending champions, Safety Babes maintained their winning streak this season with a 36-24 victory over Lagos Seasider Babes.

Plateau Peacocks edged past Defender Babes 21-20 to move to fourth on the table.

Bendel Dynamos defeated Bayelsa Queens 30-24 while Sokoto Rima Queens recorded their highest win after they defeated Benue Queens 42-28.

Delta Queens stunned Imo Grasshoppers 29-26.

Correction Boys 22-29 Tojemarine Academy
Lagos Seasiders 24-22 Confluence Stars
Police Machine 19-29 Safety Shooters
Benue Buffaloes 24-33 Kano Pillars
Bendel Dynamos 17-36 Niger United
De Defenders 25-22 Rima Strikers

Women’s Results 
Delta Queens 29-26 Imo Grasshoppers
Seasider Babes 24-36 Safety Babes
Defender Babes 20-21Plateau Peacocks
Bayelsa Queens 24-30 Bendel Dynamos
Rima Queens 42-28 Benue Queens

Victor Wembanyama put on a show,z but his San Antonio Spurs slumped to a seventh straight defeat on Friday as group play continued in the NBA’s new in-season tournament.

De’Aaron Fox matched his career high with 43 points, adding eight rebounds and seven assists for the Sacramento Kings, who beat the Spurs 129-120.

After scoring just eight points in a 36-point loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Wembanyama scored 27 points and pulled down nine rebounds.

The 19-year-old French phenomenon, who was taken number one in the NBA draft, impressed with an array of shots — including a gravity-defying alley-oop dunk.

Zach Collins scored 28 for the Spurs, who roared to an 18-point lead in the first quarter but couldn’t keep pace in a fourth quarter that saw Fox deliver 14 points as Wembanyama was held to six.

“All of us, we know we’re on a good path,” Wembanyama said as he reflected on yet another defeat.

“Of course it’s hard to be patient sometimes, but it’s an everyday fight. I know that the end of the season will not look like the beginning of the season.”

Now 3-9 for the season, the Spurs fell to 0-3 in group play in the league’s new cup-style tournament — out of the running for the knockout rounds.

The Los Angeles Lakers, meanwhile, were closing in on a quarter-final berth after a 107-95 victory over the Trail Blazers in Portland.

LeBron James, who turns 39 next month, matched his season-high with 35 points and the Lakers led by as many as 17 in the final quarter.

Anthony Davis added 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Lakers improved to 3-0 in the tournament.

They can clinch their group with a win on Tuesday over Utah, who fell 131-128 to the Phoenix Suns.

Kevin Durant scored 38 points — including a dagger three-pointer with 18.8 seconds left — to propel the Suns to victory in Salt Lake City.

James Harden was the hero for the Los Angeles Clippers, who snapped a six-game losing streak with a 106-100 victory over the Houston Rockets — their first win in the five games since Harden arrived in a trade from Philadelphia.

With six seconds remaining and the score tied at 100-100, Harden dribbled against Jae’Sean Tate, making his trademark step back to drain a three-pointer, drawing a foul and converting the free throw.

“It’s a sigh of relief,” admitted Harden.

“It’s been some tough times these last few games. But we’ve got a bigger picture, got to be the last team standing so it’s going to be a process.”

Elsewhere, Zion Williamson scored 26 points and the New Orleans Pelicans withstood a Nikola Jokic triple-double of 26 points, 16 rebounds and 18 assists in a 115-110 victory over the NBA champion Denver Nuggets.

New Orleans never trailed, leading by as many as 20 in the third quarter and holding off a Denver charge that saw the Nuggets pull within one in the final period.

In Toronto, Boston guard Derrick White drained a go-ahead three-pointer with 27.5 seconds left as the Celtics held off the hard-charging Raptors 108-105.

Jaylen Brown scored 23 points, Jayson Tatum added 17 and Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who are 2-0 in tournament play and maintained their one-game lead atop the Eastern Conference over Philadelphia — who beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-116.

– Bridges returns –

In Charlotte, Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard scored 27 points to lead seven Bucks players in double figures in a 130-99 victory over the Hornets.

Malik Beasley added 20 points and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from a one-game injury absence to score 16 points with eight rebounds and nine assists in Milwaukee’s third straight victory.

The Bucks connected on 22 of 45 three-pointers to withstand a 37-point night from Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball.

Miles Bridges came off the bench for Charlotte and scored 17 points in his first NBA game since April 2022.

Bridges missed all of last season and was suspended 10 games to start this season after pleading no contest in a felony domestic violence incident last year.

A Higher National Diploma female student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, in Kwara State, has been allegedly hacked to death by yet-to-be identified persons.

The student, identified as Toyin Bamidele of the Food Technology Department, was allegedly hacked to death in her rented apartment outside the campus on Thursday.

The alleged murder was confirmed to PUNCH Online on Friday by the institution’s acting head, Public Relations Unit, Mrs. Folake Oyinloye.

Oyinloye, who said that the management had commenced an investigation into the murder in conjunction with security agencies, said, “The management condemns this inhumane act in strong terms, as it is strange in the polytechnic community.

“While the circumstances behind the incident remain unknown, investigations are currently ongoing to reveal the identity of the evil occurrence by the appropriate security agencies and, as a matter of urgency, to fish out the culprits.

“Her demise is an irreparable loss to the entire management and Staff of the Polytechnic.

“The management somberly condoles with her family, friends, and the Department of Food Technology for the great loss and urges anyone who has useful information on this occurrence to report to Security Agents.

“The management prays to God to repose her soul, grant her eternal rest and uphold her family to bear the loss.”

All efforts to contact the police proved abortive, as the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, could not be reached on the telephone as of the time of filing this report.