Carl Froch, a former super-middleweight champion, believes Anthony Joshua needs a “brain transplant” before his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
By defeating the Ukrainian, Joshua will become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
Froch has questioned the British fighter’s mentality ahead of the rematch on August 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Usyk won the first fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September of last year.
Since then, Joshua has hired a new trainer, Robert Garcia, who is believed to add more aggression to the 32-year-old’s boxing style.
Despite the switch-up, Froch does not fancy Joshua’s chances of turning the tables this time around.
“Sometimes a change is good, but for Anthony Joshua to beat Oleksandr Usyk, he needs a brain transplant.
“He’s got all the physical attributes but I just don’t think he can beat him,” Froch told Betfred’s Lightweight Boxing Show.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the criticisms trailing his selection of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate, saying efforts are on to resolve the differences with those not impressed by his choice.
This followed the latest outburst of Governor Sam Ortom of Benue State who asserted that the former vice president has disrespected Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State by side-stepping on the slot despite being the first runners-up in the primary that produced Atiku as the PDP flag bearer.
Speaking in a live interview with Arise Television, on Wednesday, the Benue Governor who chaired the committee set up by Atiku to help him arrive at a suitable running mate, revealed that rather than go to Wike in person, Atiku and the party leadership were trying to talk to him over the phone.
He recalled that 14 out of the 17 members of the committee had recommended Wike for the position of the vice-presidential candidate but the recommendation was jettisoned by Atiku in favour of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
Ortom said despite the humiliation of the Rivers governor, they had done nothing to appease him to get him to support the PDP.
He also recalled how Wike had sustained the main opposition party when other prominent members deserted it after it lost power in 2015.
Ortom told the television station: “My friend Governor Wike deserves a vacation after the trauma that he went through. Some of us believe that he has the capacity and the charisma to lead this country from bottom to top compared to what has been happening.
“We have been taken in 2014 when this present administration came in, we have been taken from top to bottom. So, we thought that he has the capacity and the charisma. Unfortunately, Nigerians or the PDP people did not give him the opportunity.
“Some of us rooted for him, I was amongst the 17-member committee that was set up by the candidate himself and the party of the PDP. And some of us said that, for the vice presidency, for those of us in PDP, we needed Wike to be the vice president so that he can bridge the gap.
“When we said it in our meeting, we said that, look, it doesn’t matter whether he supported the presidential candidate or not, but all that we’re looking for is unity, and how we can make this work.
“Unfortunately, it was said that it is Governor Okowa, who is also a PDP member today. That is the wisdom of the presidential candidate.
“Some of us, I want to tell you that I have resorted back to prayers because I’m really confused because I felt that Wike would have been the vice president after losing the presidency. He was the second person to Atiku. Wike has the charisma. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. All of us, have our weaknesses, but we can be something. But when it comes to mobilization and impact, value addition, reaching out, or making sure that a party works, Wike is an instrument. Wike is somebody who stood for the party, making sure that things work.
“So, for some of us, we believed in that, unfortunately, it was somebody else. It doesn’t matter. The party is supreme.”
On whether he will support the presidential Aiku, he said: “I told you that I am praying. I’ve gone into hibernation. And I’m praying, I’m fasting. I’m praying. So if God directs me, as He has always done, if God directs me that as your support Atiku, why should I not do it?
“After all he’s my party man, but I’m waiting for him. There is more that is expected.
“I expect him to do, I’ll expect him to reach out to Wike who came second and denied him the popular view of PDP members. 14 out of 17 said that Wike should be the VP. in his wisdom, he chose that it should be Governor Okowa. Okowa is a nice man, he is my friend and I have no problem with him. But if we’re in a democratic era, 14 people at 17 said that issue be Wike and he in his wisdom gave it to Okowa, I expect more explanation. I expect him to talk to Wike first that we’re supporting. I expect him to even reach out to some of us so that together, we can work as a party.
“So, but the bottom line is that for me, I’ve gone into hibernation and I’m praying and at the end, whatever God directs me, I can assure you that I will do it.”
But in an apparent reaction to the Benue governor’s outburst, Atiku took to his social media accounts on Thursday, assuring that he has respect for every government, lawmakers, and other elected officials under the PDP.
He said the action was being taken to address the feelings of those aggrieved.
The PDP flag bearer stated on his Facebook account: “The Peoples Democratic Party will remain united. Focus on our actions. We are taking action to address the feelings of all party members. The unity in our community is my priority. Our resolve to unify Nigeria starts in our party and moves to the community, then on to society.
“Every Governor, Legislator, and other elected officials produced by our party, and party members and loyalists, are much loved and respected by me. When they speak, I listen. I do not only listen. Appropriate actions have been taken, are being taken, and will continue to be advanced. -AA”
Nigerian officials have been accused of shielding the Fulani herdsmen over St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
According to Knoxville News Sentinel the Nigerian government “blamed the terror attack on Owo Church, on the Islamic State West Africa Province while allegedly avoiding references to networks of politically powerful herdsmen”.
Speaking on the recent massacre of worshippers at the Catholic Church, a senior fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute in Washington DC, Stephen Rasche, said Nigerian Christians no longer trust their own government or the leaders of the United States and the European Union.
Punch reported that Rasche said;
“These types of murders are taking place weekly, almost daily, in Nigeria — murders of innocent Christians, being gunned down, slaughtered indiscriminately, throughout the north and, increasingly, into the central part of Nigeria and into the south.
“They don’t look at us as being serious about any of these things.
“They are completely disillusioned that the US government is going to have any kind of effective role to play. They’ve just given up that anybody in the West is going to come to their aid.”
The Federal Government has stated that a total of 2,200,357 Internally Displaced Persons amounting to 452,363 displaced households are now in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria.
This was disclosed on Thursday through the National Emergency Management Agency.
The agency stressed that the Boko Haram insurgency, communal clashes, and natural disasters were the causes of the displacements.
NEMA revealed this in its 2021 Annual Report, which was submitted by the agency to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development in Abuja.
A section of the report, seen by our correspondent, read in part, “Among the human-induced disasters, the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in the displacement of people across North-East and North-Central Nigeria adding to the pre-existing caseload of IDPs displaced by the communal clashes and natural disasters that continue to affect parts of the country.
“The report of round 39 Displacement Tracking Matrix carried out in the North-East by NEMA and International Organization for Migration as of December 30, 2021, put the number of IDPs at 2,200,357 amounting to 452,363 displaced households.”
The report stated that due to Nigeria’s geo-climatic and socio-economic condition, as in most countries of the world, Nigeria was vulnerable in varying degrees to disaster as a result of climate change to floods, landslides, and tidal waves, coastal erosion, sand-storms, dust-storms, and drought.
It said the country was also vulnerable to desertification locust/insect infestations, oil spillage, epidemic, pandemic, terrorism, banditry, and other man-made disasters.
“While some of these disasters are rapid, others are slow-onset, resulting in catastrophic situations leading to loss of lives and property and degradation of the environment,” the report stated.
Former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has described the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as an asset to PDP who should be kept for future purposes.
Lamido who is one of the leaders of PDP said the Rivers Governor is now like a “boiling pot” because, unknown to him, those he considers to be his friends are actually his worst enemies who are adding more fuel to the fire.
Given his record as chief executive of the oil-rich state, Lamido characterized Wike as a front-runner who had etched his name in glory, he said in an interview with newsmen.
“He is a person we must safeguard, and we must save him from his own rage,” Lamido remarked.
Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar was elected as the PDP’s presidential candidate on May 28, 2022, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Wike who came second at the primary election is reportedly upset that Atiku chose Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running partner on June 16, 2022.
Lamido blamed people close to the governor, who he didn’t name, for fanning the flames of hatred. He said that the Rivers State governor needs to be saved and kept for the future.
He stated: “Wike is now like a boiling pot. He is so angry because the people around him prevent him from seeing properly. Those whom he considers to be his friends are actually his worst enemies. It is a fact that he will eventually realize, which is why they are adding more fuel to the fire. “
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has said that drug users and addicts no longer have excuse not to seek treatment with the commissioning of a modern 24/7 call centre set up to attend to Nigerians from all parts of the country.
Marwa spoke at the commissioning of the NDLEA call centre with toll free helpline and manned by professionals and experts in counselling, psychotherapy, psychology and psychiatry among others in Abuja on Thursday 30th June, 2022.
According to him, the provision of this toll-free helpline is a milestone in our resolve to broaden access to quality health care for drug users in the country. This has become a necessity and a strategic intervention in our determined effort to bring under control the increasing cases of drug use disorder and related health concerns.
He said though the country has treatment centres, while NDLEA has 26 treatment facilities across its commands, they are nevertheless grossly inadequate in the face of statistics of drug users and those suffering from drug use disorder
“NDLEA recognised the importance of providing a safety bubble for users who ordinarily cannot access the conventional treatment services at established rehabilitation centres due to poverty, social stigma and the resultant discrimination attached to being an identified drug user in society, among other factors.
“Therefore, the inevitability and the utility of a toll-free helpline that guarantees anonymity, confidentiality and safety, as a motivation for those in need of health help to freely seek such.
“The NDLEA Call Centre is manned by a team of licensed and credible clinical psychologists, counsellors, support workers and mental health professionals who would provide the needed support in aiding recovery, managing social and emotional problems, improving quality of life and enhancing performance and productivity of the users of the service.
“With its state-of-the-art equipment and its team of highly trained professionals in substance abuse disorder, this centre offers a teletherapy service according to global best practices.
“The benefit of the Call Centre is manifolds. Aside from helping us in providing telephone-based psychosocial support and addiction services in the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA), it will at the same time provide us with information that will deepen our understanding of the countrys dynamics of drug use and potentially put us ahead of the game.
“To those in need of help, we open a new chapter today, whereby help is just a phone call away. We have simplified the helpline service by making it language-sensitive whereby callers have the choice of language including English, Pidgin, Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo. And very importantly, the helpline is open 24/7. A call to the helpline, 0800 1020 3040, elicits a prompt response from professionals, regardless of the time or geographic location.
“The calls open the door to engagements with counsellors, followed by service orientation that leads to case management, at which point the engagement moves from telephone assessment to follow-up therapy sessions and referral.
“This seamless process ends in Resolution and Aftercare Follow-Up. Given the simplicity of the process, there is no valid excuse for not accessing treatment by drug users and their concerned families. We expect those concerned to take advantage of this opportunity,” the NDLEA boss explained.
In their remarks at the event, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the federation, Muhammed Abubakar; UNODC country representative, Oliver Stolpe and European Union delegation representative, Eleni Zerzerlidou commended the NDLEA for the initiative, called for its expansion and sustenance.
The Chief Executive of the company managing the centre, Primly Services Ltd, Dr. Vincent Udenze commended Marwa for providing the leadership that made the initiative a reality.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday, told registered political parties in the country that it would not extend the July 15, 2022, deadline for nomination of Governorship and States Assembly candidates.
INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye, said the decision was taken, yesterday, at a meeting of the commission.
Okoye said: “By the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released by the commission, political parties that conducted valid governorship and state Assembly primaries shall upload the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates between July 1 and 15, 2022.
“We urge political parties to scrutinise the list and personal particulars of the candidates they propose to sponsor at the election to avoid any mix-up and duplication of names. Political parties are advised not to wait until the last day before uploading the list and personal particulars of their candidates. The Candidates Nomination Portal will shut down at 6pm on July 15, 2022.”
Adventist Technical Secondary School Ohafia has trounced The Master Vessels Classical Academy and The Victory college International to emerge the winner of 2022 edition of Abia State Schools Quiz Competition.
The high-rated academic event is sponsored by Ray Nkemdirim Foundation.
At the grand finale which took place at International Conference Center Umuahia, Abia State Capital, Adventist Technical Secondary School Ohafia grabbed 52 points ahead of Master Vessels Classical Academy which came second with 42 points, leaving the third position for Victory College International which had 40points.
Adventist Technical Secondary School Ohafia smiled home with the star prize of one million naira(#1,000,000).
Five hundred thousand naira(#500,000) went to Master Vessels Classical Academy which came second, while The Victory college International with its third position parted with two hundred and fifty thousand naira.(#250,000).
Samson Eze, Flo FM Umuahia, Station Manager
Also, teachers of the students who emerged winners were appreciated.
The first position with a cash prize of #100,000; second position #75,000 and 50,000 to the third position.
The competition kicked off June 1st at the local and zonal level.
The founder of the foundation, Chief Raymond Nkemdirim in his speech, said he has a vision to make the state better in all spheres, particularly education which he described as pillar of development.
Chief Raymond Nkemdirim
He said the vision started with his parents,the way he was pushed and their encouragement which began a new trajectory in his life adding that without the efforts of his parents he may not have made it to the level he is currently.
He urged everyone to join hands to put education at the forefront and help the growth of the young one’s as the future leaders adding that the competition will continue to forge ahead so as to encourage the schools.
The chairman of the event, Prof. Godwin Emezue, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Abia State University Uturu (ABSU), earlier thanked the founder of Ray Nkemdirim Foundation for the good job he is doing in raising future leaders.
He expressed delight to associate with him and congratulated the participants for studying so hard to make it to the finale stage of the competition.
Speaking with newsmen representative of the schools expressed their joy to the Organizers of the competition for the great opportunity given to them as the winner of the competition.
Highlights of the event includes presentation of awards to personalities who have contributed to the success of the competion; including a post humous award to late mazi Enyi Harbour and presentation of a brand new laptop to one master Great Ijiomah one of the Mayfair Academy students who won the first position during the 2021 edition of the competition.
He scored 323 in the 2021 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
There was also cultural dance display by the pupils of Our Lady Of Mercy Nursery/Primary School, St Finbars Catholic Mission Umuahia Abia State, among others.
Battle for the presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been won and lost, with former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emerging as the presidential candidate of the party.
Tinubu won the party’s presidential primary in a landslide to clinch the party’s ticket ahead of the 2023 general election.
The presidential primary of the governing party was an open contest that was keenly contested, after the bid by the party to produce its presidential flag-bearer through a consensus failed woefully.
Political analysts are of the opinion that Tinubu must work hard to defeat the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to emerge as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Outside the PDP, Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi is another candidate in the presidential race enjoying enormous support from Nigerian youths.
For Tinubu to emerge victorious, he needs the full support of these six politicians including President Muhammadu Buhari and the 13 Governors that supported him during the Presidential primaries.
1. President Muhammadu Buhari
Obviously, Tinubu was not the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari according to multiple sources within the presidency.
The National Chairman of APC had announced Ahmad Lawan as the consensus candidate of the party suggesting he (Lawan) was President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice. The choice of Lawan was resisted by the 13 APC Northern Governors paving way for the emergence of Tinubu.
Tinubu is expected to reconcile with Buhari to get his support and genuinely plead with the President to nominate his running mate in other to get his support. On Monday when Tinubu visited Buhari before jetting out to France , Buhari has asked Tinubu to pick whomever he wants as his running mate . This Buhari’s stand portends a great danger for Tinubu as it signals the continuation of a Cold War with the President and Tinubu. If Tinubu must win , he must do everything possible to make sure that Buhari recommends a vice presidential candidate for him . سباق الحصان Buhari’s choice is most likely the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan
2. Alhaji Kashim Shettima
Tinubu’s campaign under Shettima proved one fact that this country is abound with abundant progressive human resources.
Former governor Shettima is the new discovery of “unknown” sagacity. This dogged enigma would stand his ground to defend the Tinubu even when the majority were against his position. لعبة تربح فلوس He remained steadfast and insistent on the course of integrity. Ofcourse, Governor SHETTIMA was a popular governor in Borno State, he has become more popular as a result of his eloquence and steadfastness on the path of the truth. He might not have been a delegate in this last primary election, we can conveniently say that he was a significant part of the success of Asiwaju’s emergence. The interview he granted when he appeared on Channels TV program will remain a documented evidence that turned the tide even when others were hiding behind one finger. With Shettima, Tinubu has a dependable ally.
3. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
The Chief Whip of the Senate is believed to be a combative and outspoken politician with heavy media and war chest. His influence almost snatched the party’s ticket from Tinubu following his support to the president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.
Kalu’s large network both national and international rates him high among the most influential politicians across the country and beyond . His popularity gave the APC the highest votes in the South East from his Abia North senatorial district in the 2019 presidential election. APC also won House of Representatives seats in his zone. He is the only Nigerian who does not stand on the fence . He has the courage to stand firm on his conviction. Despite being an old friend and ally of Tinubu, Tinubu still need to make sure they work together so as to be able to win massively
4. Aliyu Wammako
Wammako is believed to be a heavyweight especially among the Northern caucus of the party. He is the leader of the party in the Caliphate.
Tinubu may need him to checkmate the popularity of the party in Sokoto State as well as to checkmate the activities of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
5. Nyesom Wike
Governor Wike who is currently holidaying in Turkey is an influential politician and backbone of opposition People’s Democratic Party.
He recently failed in his bid to emerge as the candidate of the party losing to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a keenly contested presidential primary election.
Wike is said not to be happy after Atiku snubbed him to pick Governor Ifeanyi Okowo as his running mate despite emerging as the choice of the committee saddled with picking Atiku’s running mate.
Tinubu may become the biggest beneficiary of Wike’s anger in the 2023 presidential election.
6. Senator Ibikunle Amosun
SIA as fondly called is a dogged politician from Ogun state.
The former governor and serving Senator is an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari. He has a formidable political structure and Tinubu would need him to solidify his base in the South West.
7. Senator Danjuma Goje
Goje is formidable politician from the North-East geo-political zone. Political analysts are projecting Atiku to win the zone.
Tinubu might need the services of political veterans like Goje and others to checkmate Atiku in the North East zone. طريقة لعبة البوكر في الجزائر
The former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, on Thursday, appeared before Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court in London, facing charges under Britain’s Modern Slavery Act.
The case has been adjourned to July 7 at Westminster Magistrate Court to allow the UK Attorney General, Suella Braverman, to determine whether the case will be tried in the country or Nigeria.
According to Channels TV, the case was fast-tracked, adding that the embattled politician was in good shape, dressed in a grey tracksuit, and spoke twice during his appearance to confirm his name and date of birth.
The request of his wife, Beatrice, who had asked the court in her defence to allow her appear by his side because she has not seen him since the last Thursday’s hearing was not granted.
The prosecutor claims that David Ukpo, who alleged that he was forced to donate his kidney to the Senator’s ailing daughter, is 15 years.
According to court, David was allegedly picked off the street in Lagos by a criminal gang some months ago with the plan of harvesting his organ.
Ekweremadu was remanded in custody as the court claimed that he is an influential person, a flight risk and the case involves a child and modern slavery.
The news of Ekweremadus’ arrest broke out last Thursday over an allegation of trying to harvest an organ of a minor to save their daughter’s life.
A large delegation from the Nigeria High Commission was also present in the public gallery alongside the Senator’s two adult children.
Abia State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, has expressed concern over what he described...
