FocalPoint Reports

We’ve to suffer to get better – Graham Potter tells Chelsea fans Chelsea manager Graham Potter has told supporters of the club that it is normal the team suffer for them to get better. Potter stated this in the aftermath of the Blues 4-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday. Chelsea were below-par on Saturday as they conceded four goals to Brighton to record their third loss in the English Premier League. The defeat was also Potter’s first loss since he took reins of the managerial position in Chelsea following the sack of Thomas Tuchel. “It’s not about the players necessarily. It’s about all of us; it’s collective, including myself. How we can do better. “I have to do better, we have to do better. We will. “We got off to a really bad start [against Brighton]. But you have to have that sometimes if you want to make progress. If you think that the line is going to go straight up, it’s impossible. “Unless there is another way. Whenever you are trying to learn or master something, get...

Nigeria’s floodwaters reveal a state unable to protect its people As millions of Nigerians suffer through the worst by-product of climate change that they have endured since 2012 – savage floods that are submerging hundreds of villages, towns and farms nationwide – it is clear that the government cannot efficiently cope with the immediate challenges it faces.  27 out of Nigeria’s 36 states have been hit and meteorological agencies warn that states like Anambra, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa may experience floods till the end of November. According to the humanitarian affairs minister, Sadiya Farouk, by 16 October, 2,504,095 persons had been affected, with 603 dead, 2407 injured and 1,302,589 displaced. In mid-October, Farouk also announced that 82,053 housing structures had been damaged or wrecked. 10 days later, the figure must be much higher. The catalogue of flood-related woes is extensive. Waterborne and other diseases are rife. Entire communities have bee...

Recession: Economists advocate review of Nigeria’s economic recovery strategies Some economists have advocated taking of practical steps by the Federal Government to review its economic recovery and growth strategies for Nigeria to be able to evade imminent global recession. They said that insecurity, high inflation, high cost of living and Russia-Ukrain could lead the country into recession, and called for actions to tackle them. Speaking in Benin, Dr Okpara Udensi, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Edo/Delta branch, urged government to appraise its intervention strategies geared towards economic recovery in the country. Udensi said that the Nigerian government needed to implement strategies that would promote business growth in the country. According to him, going by the economic indices, Nigeria is already at the level of recession due to high inflation rate, insecurity, high cost of living and high Naira to Dollar exchange rate. He however pointed out that...

13 passengers burnt to death in Enugu auto crash At least13 passengers have been burnt to death in a fatal accident which happened near the Four-Corners Enugu at about 9pm on Sunday night. The ill fated 14-seater bus said to be traveling from Imo State to Adamawa reportedly ran into a trailer before going up in flames. All the passengers except one, were said to have burnt beyond recognition in the accident which occurred at the Enugu end of the Enugu-Port Hacourt Expressway. Only one passenger survived the auto crash. While  some said he was rescued by sympathizers, others said he jumped out of the vehicle from the window. Vanguard learnt that the lone survivor, is currently receiving treatment at the Emergency Unit of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla. Confirming the auto crash, Sector commander of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Enugu command, Joseph Toby, said that the commission has been warning drivers on the risk associated with nig...

Obi to release seven-point agenda today The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, will release the document containing his seven-point agenda to the public today (Monday). The Director General of the Labour Party presidential campaign organisation, Doyin Okupe, made this known in a tweet late Sunday. He stated that the document titled, ‘The Pact with Nigeria’ will highlight the seven governance priorities of Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed. According to Okupe, the agenda will usher in “our dream of a new Nigeria. Okupe said, “Tomorrow the 31st of October, the presidential campaign organisation of the LP will release to the media & the public ‘The Pact with Nigeria’, the document that chronicles the seven governance priorities of the Obi-Baba Ahmed administration which will usher in our dream for a new Nigeria.” This is coming a day after the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, presented his 80-page manifesto ...

Kidnappers Shot At My Head, Released Prof Agbaje Says Professor Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan has issued a ‘thank you’ statement after his ordeal with kidnappers in which he was shot at in the head. Professor Agbaje was abducted on his way to Ibadan at about 6pm on Friday, when the kidnappers blocked his way very close to the Sat Guru Maharaji Garden. Kidnappers demanded a N50 million ransom. He was released on Sunday. The statement was issued by his son, Adewale Agbaje, on Monday on behalf of his father. The statement reads:  “It’s a new day today and I’m happy to be alive. I was released by my kidnappers yesterday evening after spending two nights in the thick forests of Ogun and Oyo states.  “My mind goes to the five others who are still left with the kidnappers: two young ladies, two young men and a middle-aged person.  "I was shot at in the head during the abduction process.  I thank God that the bullet th...

“I hate marriage” – Borno housewife poisons chief imam The Borno State Police Command said it has arrested a 25-year-old housewife, Fatima Abubakar, who allegedly killed her husband, Goni Abbah, with poison. Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdu Umar said that the suspect was arrested on October 19 at Anguwan Doki. He said the suspect was the second wife of the deceased. The police commissioner said Abbah was the Chief Imam of the area and returned from the mosque when the suspect poisoned his food. According to him, the cleric began to show signs of being uncomfortable shortly after he began to eat the food. The commissioner said Abbah was rushed to the State Specialist Hospital, where he received medical attention but later died. He said the cleric’s family reported the incident at the GRA Police Station and operatives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) were deployed to the scene to arrest the suspect. The commissioner said that when the pol...

FUT Minna Gets Cyber Security Complex Authorities of the Federal University of Technology( FUT) Minna, have said it has taken over the newly constructed cyber security complex of the Institution from the contractor in a bid to give the department the deserved attention. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Bala Abdullahi who officially took over the complex from the contractor explained that the project conceptualised 11 years ago was one of the projects he had promised to complete under his tenure. He lauded the vision of his predecessor, Prof. Musbau Adewumi Akanji for conceptualising it and all those who worked tirelessly to see to the success. Prof. Bala noted that the initial contract did not make provision for air-conditioning, transformer and other electrical accessories but the contractor provided them without asking for variation. Meanwhile, the project manager, Mr Ganiyu Malik, said the contract for the project was awarded 11 years ago with 52 weeks du...

Kidnapped university professor released The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command, on Monday confirmed the release of Adigun Agbaje, a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, by his abductors. Adewale Osifeso, the police spokesperson in the state, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan. NAN recalls that Mr Agbaje, along with other travellers, including two female students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, were on Friday night kidnapped by gunmen in military uniform around Dominica University, on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. According to Mr Osifeso, Mr Agbaje is currently undergoing debriefing, saying an update will be provided on the matter. He, however, did not give details about the release of other kidnapped travellers. NAN gathered that two students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, identified as Olayemi Adejare and Oluwatobi Orekoya and Mr Agbaje, were picked up on Sunday night at a location near Sat Guru Maharaji area on Ibadan-La...

Atiku’s camp kicks as Afenifere endorses Tinubu The Presidential Spokesman, Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation, Dr Daniel Bwala, has picked a hole in the endorsement of All Progressive Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, by leaders of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere. The PUNCH  reports that Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and several South West leaders on Sunday endorsed Tinubu Tinubu received their endorsement during a meeting he had with the leaders of the organisation at Fasoranti’s residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Some members of the group, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and the Secretary-General Chief Sola Ebiseni, were however absent at the meeting. But reacting to the endorsement, Bwala in a statement said the absence of Adebanjo and others was an indication that the endorsement was faulty. He also faulted the Afenifere leaders for inviting only Tinubu among all other presidential candidates to an event where they could have...

Stampede: Nigeria stands with South Korean people, says Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed Nigeria’s commiseration to the government and people South Korea, over the tragic loss of more than 150 persons in a stampede incident in Itaewon, Seoul District. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari assured South Korean counterpart, President Yoon Suk-yeo that Nigeria stands with his people in their mourning period. “President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to President Yoon Suk-yeo, the Government and people of the Republic of South Korea, as well to families of victims of the tragic incident at Itaewon in Seoul district. “The President sends prayerful wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured, healing and comfort to the entire nation as they grieve the heart-breaking loss of over 150 people, mostly teenagers and people in their twenties. “President Buhari assures President Yoo...

Philanthropist Distributes Food, Drugs To Vulnerable Flood Victims In Anambra A philanthropist, Dr Festus Chukwuemeka Omaremi, the weekend, distributed food and drugs to vulnerable Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) at Unity Hall, Ekpe Nneyi Umueri camp in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State. Nigerian Tribune gathered that the kind gesture was made in collaboration with Remichuks Pharmacy. Dr. Festus while addressing the flood victims said he has come to administer life-saving drugs to them because of the vulnerable situations of people in the IDP. He said that due to overpopulation and no access to health services, they are prone to experience worse health outcomes, hence his coming with important drugs that will prevent certain diseases and health issues. He stressed that the flood crisis has devastated agricultural production of Ndi Anambra East/West and disrupted various means of livelihood and access to essential services. He emphasized that protection an...

PHOTOS: Ooni of Ife, other traditional rulers pray at Redemption Camp His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was among the traditional rulers that met at the national camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Friday and Saturday. The General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor E.A. Adeboye made this known on Saturday via his social media handles posting pictures of the royal fathers in attendance. According to Adeboye, the nation’s monarchs gathered for two days to have their convention tagged: “The Ever Reigning King.” “Royal Fathers across Nigeria gathered at the Redemption Camp yesterday and today for their convention. Our Lord Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords so it is only proper to align with him. “It is my prayer that everything our royal fathers have lost, the ever reigning king will restore unto them in Jesus name,” Adeboye wrote.

Naira redesign: CBN not answerable to Finance Minister — Ohanaeze Youths A socio-cultural group known as the Ohanaeze Youths Movement has faulted the assertion by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, that the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele should have consulted her before deciding to redesign the Naira. The group in a statement by its information director, Nzube Ugochukwu, said Emefiele didn’t have to inform her, as the apex bank is not answerable to the ministry. The group noted that the apex bank only needed to seek presidential clearance which it did. The statement reads, “On Friday the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed declared that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) did not carry her ministry along in its plan to redesign and roll out new N200, N500, and N1000 note effective December 15. “CBN has the sole authority to issue legal tender currency in Nigeria. The Bank alone is able to determine the quantum of curr...

Okowa's Political Godfather, Stakeholders Agree with Gbagi on need for good Governance in Delta By Ezekiel Kagbala FPR Stakeholders from the Urhobo ethnic nationality in Delta State,  have strongly condemned the lack of good Governance and developmental attention given to the State, especially, being the supposed industrial and economic hub of Nigeria. This necessitated the exploration of innovative ideas presented by the former Minister of State for Education Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, OON, FNIM, and Delta State 2023 Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP. The former Minister of Information, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, one of the founding fathers of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, and Governor Okowa's political godfather reminded Deltans about challenges that have made bad governance take its root in Delta State. Talking about Justice, Peace Commission, Oyovbaire said, "The commission has brought forth...

I will hold Obi accountable – Aisha Yesufu Social activist, Aisha Yesufu, has said that she will hold the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, accountable if he emerges in the 2023 presidential election. It is said that the presidential campaign of the Labour Party’s standard bearer, Peter Obi, has commenced in Nasarawa State. Present with Obi on the campaign ground are his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Yesufu, and the LP National Chairman, Julius Abure, among other party chieftains. Speaking on the campaign ground on Saturday, Yesufu said, “…2023 election is an election for survival…we are not only voting for ourselves, we are also voting for our children and our grandchildren, and the generation yet to come, we want Mr Peter Obi to be in office, I will hold him accountable, we’ll ensure he works for the people…” Speaking earlier, Obi decried Nigeria not qualifying for World Cup, saying his administration, if elected, would invest money in sports. “A co...

APC G3 hails BOT members appointment into campaign councils The APC Grassroots Governance Group also known as the APC G3 has congratulated its Board of Trustees (BoT) members over their appointments into the party’s Campaign Council. The group said the appointment is a recognition of their grassroots mobilisation capacity and contributions to national development. In a statement at the weekend, National Coordinator, APC G3, Comrade Amechi Chuks Oyema, noted that the group is blessed to have in its fold eminent Nigerians that are ready to put in all their best for the victory of APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other candidates in the election. He said: “APC G3 is blessed to have Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe as Chairman of our BOT. Ambassador Ugokwe is a two-time member of the House of Representatives and later Nigeria’s ambassador to Austria. “In his time at the House of Representatives he attracted and facilitated numerous projects and sponsored 76 Bills ...

19-year-old kidnaps self, collects N1m from dad A 19-year-old boy in Adamawa State, Israel Emmanuel, has been arrested by the police for organizing his abduction and collecting N1 million ransom from his father. It was gathered on Saturday that Emmanuel and three of his friends faked the abduction and communicated with his father to collect the ransom. The Adamawa Police Command confirmed that it arrested Emmanuel who confessed to the self-kidnapping drama as well as two other accomplices: Fartaci Mustapha and Zakka Nuhu, both from Mubi North LGA. A third accomplice, Abdullhamid Mohammed, is on the run from his friends and the police. Emmanuel, who is of Mararaba Mubi, met Zakka Nuhu at the Welcome to Mubi area of Mubi town, and left for Muvir in Mubi North LGA and hid himself in the house of Fartaci Mustapha for six days while they negotiated for ransom Fartaci Mustapha made the telephone calls to Israel’s father, telling him about the ‘abduction’ of his son. After Fartaci...

Flooding: Abia records 21 deaths, receives FG’s relief items The Executive Secretary of Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Sunday Jackson, says that the state has so far recorded 21 deaths from flooding in different communities. Jackson said this on Friday in Umuahia during the distribution of relief materials to some victims by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). He said that Abia was one of the 32 states predicted by the Nigeria Hydrological Services to suffer high probable flood risk. He said that the disaster did not only claim 21 lives but ravaged many communities, farmlands and means of livelihood of the victims. According to him, the state recorded flooding in 16 of the 17 local government areas (LGAs). “We are believing that this assistance by the Federal Government will go a long way to cushion the effects of the disaster,” Jackson said. In a remark at the event, the Director-General of NEMA, Dr Mustapha Ahmed, commiserated with the Abia...

2023: Peter Obi has already won by polls, analyses – Kenneth Okonkwo Nollywood actor and chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Okonkwo said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has already won the 2023 presidency race by polls and analyses. Okonkwo made this assertion on Thursday in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. According to him, statistics on ground already suggest that the former governor of Anambra State has already won the election. He said, “He has already won, check the analysis like I have always told you; take it by polls, there are three polls that have come out, ANAP, We-Together and Bloomberg; in the first one he scored 23, in the second one 53 and in the third one he scored 75. “Soon and very soon, before the election reaches when the two candidates will unravel and I am sure they are already unravelling, then it will now be Peter Obi and others. “Because then collectively at the polling poll, they will not have up to five...

Detention of Kanu against 3 court orders freeing him is assault to Igbo — Ugochinyere CANDIDATE of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, on Friday, decried the continued detention of the leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, despite three different court orders. It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division had on October 13,2022, delivered judgement ordering the release of Kanu. The Federal High Court, Umuahia, also ordered Kanu’s release and ordered the Federal Government to return him to Kenya where he was illegally extradited. In a similar circumstance,a High Court in Abia State had also given a judgment in favour of the IPOB leader. Ugochinyere, in a press statement on Friday, said Kanu’s continued detention despite these court judgments shows that President Muhammadu Buhari -the led government does not have respect for the rule of law. He added that ...

DSS confirms raid on Trademore Estate The Department of State Services has confirmed the raid on  Trademore Estate in Abuja. Spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, who confirmed the raid, noted that there was no joint operation with foreign military. In a statement obtained by Vanguard, Afunanya said: “It is true that an operation was carried out by DSS operatives and the Nigerian military but no foreign military personnel was involved. “It is not true that any bomb was recovered or anyone arrested during the operation in the said estate”. Recall that an eye witness and resident of the estate, Barr Chigozie Eburuo told Vanguard that the sting operation was carried out by the operatives of the Directorates of the States Security, DSS in the early hour of Tuesday. He noted that the suspect was smoked out of a rented BQ apartment in the Police Quarters of the estate, where he rented and was perfecting plans to bomb targeted churches in the estate.

Nigeria first ECOWAS member to comply with  FARI recommendations – Minister The minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Sen. Dr. Adeleke Olorunnimbe Mamora has said that Nigeria is the first country in the entire ECOWAS sub-region to substantially comply with the recommendations of the African forum on research and innovation (FARI). The Minister disclosed this  ground-breaking achievement on Friday in Lagos during the South- West zonal  dialogue between government and stakeholders in the Science, Technology and Innovation ecosystem on the  establishment of technology and innovation centers (TICs). According  to the Minister, the benefits of TICs are to; “find the best way to ensure that products and services in our country are made to compete with the very best in the world, improve on the present understanding of the role of Science, Technology and Innovation in the socio-economic development of Nigeria by the general public, towards moving...

Rihanna releases first solo single in six years, co-written by Tems Barbadian star songstress Rihanna has released her first solo single in six years. ‘Lift Me Up’ which is a soundtrack of the incoming Marvel’s blockbuster movie, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” was co-written by Tems, Rihanna, Oscar winner Ludwig Gorranson and Ryan Coogler The song was released on Friday after the “Black Diamond” singer teased her return to music on social media earlier this week. ‘Lift Me Up’ was written as a tribute to the life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman, who starred in the first Black Panther film.  He died in 2020, four years after being diagnosed with colon cancer. "Honestly, I think it was Chad,” he said. “A lot of improbable things needed to happen for it to come through and Rihanna was very clear that she did that for him”, Ryan Coogler revealed about Rihanna’s involvement in the project An ecstatic Tems took to her Instagram page to express deep g...

UK, U.S warnings: We’ll unleash our venomous action if you fail to release Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB warns FG The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Friday, appealed to the Federal Government to release its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. On the 13 October, 2022, Court of Appeal in Abuja quashed the terrorism charge  the Federal Government preferred  againstKanu. The court discharged and acquitted him of the seven-count charge pending against him before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Fifteen days after Kanu is still being held in the Department of State Service, DSS, custody Abuja. In his defense, the Attorney  the General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  Abubakar Malami, said that the rendition of Nnamdi Kanu could not be used as the only basis to free the IPoB leader of other offences allegedly committed by him against the Federal Government of Nigeria. The Justice minister explained that the government was holding on to Kanu on account of four...

We can’t compel candidates to attend debates – INEC The chairman of the Independent National Election Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu on Thursday declared that the commission is not saddled with the power to force any electoral candidate to attend a debate. He made the statement on Thursday while addressing the quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja. Yakubu argued that debate, just like voting, is a democratic right. We know debates are to make citizens be better informed. His words, “I am not sure we can compel someone to attend the debate. You cannot do that. Even in most advanced countries, you can’t compel someone to do anything in a democracy. Debate, just like voting, is a democratic right. We know debates are to make citizens be better informed. “However, there is an unspoken consequence for candidates not participating. I also understand that some candidates prefer not to attend in order to avoid making mistakes that would drive voters from them....

DELTA 2023: Gbagi Storms CAN Secretariat With Liberation Message The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, OON, along the Deputy governorship candidate of his party, Chief Mrs Oshilim Ishioma Rosemary, has stormed the Secretariat of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to unveil his manifesto to the Christian body in the state.   The interactive session borders on what the governorship candidate has in his black box for Deltans ahead of 2023, if elected governor. In his speech at the interactive session held at CAN Secretariat in Asaba on Friday October 21st 2022, the largest private investor in the state, while thanking the leadership of CAN led by Apostle Sylvanus Okorote, lauded CAN Political Strategy and Mobilization Committee for extending the invitation to him and his party. Fielding questions from participants, Gbagi, FNIM, said his government would partnership with CAN to develop the State. ...

2023: God Told Me Gbagi Is Next Delta’s Governor — Apostle Uge Apostle Uge Senior Abadigho of Souls Mission, Benin City in Edo State, has disclosed that the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State, Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, would emerge winner in the 2023 governorship election. According to him, God told him to come over to Oginibo, Ughelli south local government area of the state, to conduct a 14-day fasting and prayer for the governorship ambition of the former minister of State for education, ahead of the 2023 governorship election. The dynamic man of God with prophetic unction and grace said, “it was during the prayers that God told me that the seat of the governor, has been given to Gbagi. God told me that a great leadership will come into the land”. Prophet Abadigho, dropped the revelation on Monday October 3rd 2022, while addressing Esaba, Otutuama, Otitiri, Ophorigbala and Iwhrogun communities who visited the philanthropist at...