APC Claims Victory in Edo North and Central, Focuses on Edo South in Upcoming Governorship Election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) claims to have secured victories in Edo North and Edo Central senatorial zones ahead of the Saturday governorship election. Nobert Sochukwuma, Senior Special Assistant on Local Government Affairs to APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje, asserted that the remaining challenge lies in Edo South.

Sochukwuma dismissed allegations from Governor Godwin Obaseki that the APC is using police collaboration and helicopters to campaign. He suggested that Obaseki’s accusations are a tactic to distract from the possibility of his imminent defeat.

In a recent interview, Sochukwuma highlighted that APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, are well-established politicians with significant electoral victories. He expressed confidence in APC’s stronghold in Edo Central and Edo North, attributing success to prominent party figures like former governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Sochukwuma emphasized that the critical battleground will be Edo South, where Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata is a strong contender. He predicted a favorable outcome for the APC, given their perceived dominance in the other zones.

VP Shettima to Represent Nigeria at 79th UNGA as President Tinubu Focuses on Domestic Issues

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this year. Instead, Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation, as announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The decision allows President Tinubu to concentrate on pressing domestic issues, including addressing the aftermath of recent severe flooding in Nigeria. VP Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement, participate in key sideline events, and conduct bilateral meetings during the assembly.

The UNGA session, themed “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,” will take place from September 24 to September 28, 2024.

Canada Reduces International Student Visa Cap and Tightens Work Permit Rules for 2025

Canada is making significant changes to its temporary residence programs to better manage the influx of international students and temporary workers. Starting in 2025, the intake cap for international student study permits will be reduced by 10%, from 485,000 to 437,000. This cap will be maintained for 2026.

The government is also implementing stricter eligibility criteria for work permits. New restrictions will limit work permits to spouses of master’s degree students in programs lasting at least 16 months, and to spouses of foreign workers in managerial or professional roles or in sectors experiencing labor shortages.

These adjustments aim to align immigration policies with Canada’s evolving economic and humanitarian needs while maintaining system integrity. In a recent statement, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada highlighted that these changes are necessary to respond to the country’s current and future needs.

The Canadian government is also addressing asylum system integrity, including implementing partial visa requirements for Mexican nationals and enhancing fraud detection measures.

The overall goal is to reduce the proportion of temporary residents in Canada from 6.5% to 5% of the population by 2026. This is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Canada’s immigration system remains sustainable and effective in the face of changing economic conditions and labor market needs.

For further details, including eligibility changes and additional measures, individuals can visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

NECO Releases 2024 SSCE Results, 60.55% of Candidates Secure Key Credits

The National Examinations Council (NECO) has announced the results for the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), revealing that 60.55% of candidates achieved five credits, including English Language and Mathematics.

While addressing journalists at the NECO headquarters in Minna, Niger State, the Registrar, Professor Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, stated that 1,376,423 candidates, including 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the examination. Of those, 1,367,736 candidates sat for the exam, with 828,284 meeting the five-credit threshold.

Wushishi noted a significant reduction in examination malpractice, with 8,437 cases reported in 2024 compared to 12,030 in 2023—a 30.1% drop. However, 40 schools across 17 states were implicated in mass cheating, and appropriate sanctions will be enforced.

Candidates can now access their results via the NECO website using their registration numbers.

Northeast PDP Endorses Damagum as National Chairman Amid Party Tensions

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria’s Northeast zone has officially endorsed Umar Iliya Damagum to continue as the acting National Chairman of the party. This decision was announced in a statement released by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, on Thursday.

The endorsement comes at a time of internal party disagreements, with some members advocating for Damagum’s removal to allow the Northcentral zone to appoint a permanent National Chairman. Despite this, Fintiri, speaking on behalf of the PDP branches in Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, and Yobe states, reaffirmed their confidence in Damagum’s leadership.

Citing a Federal High Court order, the statement emphasized that the PDP is legally restrained from removing Damagum from his position, urging members to respect the court ruling.

Governor Fintiri praised Damagum for strengthening public confidence in the PDP since assuming leadership and highlighted the party’s unprecedented performance in the Northeast during the 2023 elections. The governor also emphasized that the region, based on its electoral success, deserves to retain the National Chairman’s position more than any other section in the North.

The Federal High Court in Abuja had previously issued a restraining order preventing the PDP and its affiliates from appointing or nominating a new chairman to replace Damagum until further notice.

Edo Election: Governor Makinde Affirms Support for PDP Candidate Asue Ighodalo

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed full support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the upcoming Edo State election scheduled for September 21. Makinde made his stance clear on Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony for the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan.

Responding to concerns about his absence from the PDP’s campaign grand finale in Edo, Makinde reassured party members and urged Edo voters to back Ighodalo. “Seyi Makinde is 100 percent with our candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo,” he declared, encouraging Edo citizens to vote for Ighodalo.

Makinde’s endorsement comes shortly after Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike publicly announced that he would not support Ighodalo. Wike revealed during an interview that he had declined a request from Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki to support Ighodalo, criticizing Obaseki for past actions.

Despite differing views among key PDP figures, Makinde’s message emphasized unity within the party, calling on all PDP members to rally around Ighodalo for the upcoming polls.

Chidera Ejuke Emerges as La Liga’s Best Dribbler in Early Season

Chidera Ejuke, the Nigerian forward who recently joined Sevilla, has quickly established himself as a standout dribbler in La Liga. In just four matches this season, Ejuke has successfully dribbled past opponents 17 times, according to the latest statistics.

The 26-year-old winger, who made the move to Sevilla after a stint at Royal Antwerp, signed a three-year contract with the Spanish club as a free agent. Despite playing in only four of Sevilla’s five opening games, he leads the league in dribbles.

Notably, Ejuke’s dribbling record surpasses prominent players like Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid, and Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal. Mbappé and Yamal have each completed 16 dribbles, while Vinicius follows with 13.

What makes Ejuke’s achievement even more impressive is the comparison of dribbles per minute. With just 265 minutes on the pitch, Ejuke has completed a successful dribble approximately every 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Mbappé and Yamal, despite playing over 430 minutes each, have fewer successful dribbles.

Ejuke’s dribbling prowess is no surprise; in 2021, the CIES ranked him the third-best dribbler in the world, trailing only Adama Traore and Nahuel Lujan.

Having represented Nigeria in eight international matches, including two appearances in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, Ejuke is becoming an integral part of Sevilla’s attack. The club and its supporters are looking forward to his continued excellence as they prepare for their next match against Deportivo Alavés.

NLC President Criticizes Government Over Dangote Refinery Pricing Control

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of fraudulent interference in the pricing of petroleum products from Dangote Refinery. Speaking during a media briefing at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Ajaero condemned the government’s involvement in setting prices for locally produced products, stating that it goes against the principles of a deregulated market.

Ajaero argued that it is unfair for the government to expect Dangote’s locally produced petroleum to be sold at the same price as imported products, as local production avoids extra costs like foreign exchange and landing fees. He described the government’s actions as a mix of fraud and policy inconsistency, stating that such interference undermines competition and consumer choice.

The standoff between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery has sparked public debate, raising concerns about the government’s role in shaping the energy industry’s competitive landscape. Ajaero urged Nigerians to speak out against what he called dishonest attempts to regulate private sector operations.

Yahaya Bello’s Media Team Insists He Was at EFCC Amid Conflicting Statements

The media team of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has reiterated that he was present at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, despite conflicting statements from the anti-graft agency.

Earlier, Bello’s team reported that he attended the EFCC office voluntarily, following consultations with his legal team and political associates. However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale denied that Bello was in their custody, asserting that he remains a wanted individual.

In a follow-up statement, the Director of Bello’s Media Office, Ohiare Michael, clarified that Bello was indeed at the EFCC office. Michael stated that while the former governor was not interrogated, he was informed that he was free to leave. Bello was accompanied by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Michael emphasized that the visit was in compliance with the EFCC’s invitation and aimed at clearing Bello’s name, asserting that he has nothing to hide. The media team remains uncertain about the implications of the EFCC’s response but maintains that Bello’s presence at the office was factual and in pursuit of due process.

Michy Batshuayi on Victor Osimhen’s Arrival at Galatasaray

Galatasaray striker Michy Batshuayi has addressed concerns about potential rivalry following the arrival of Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen at the club. Despite speculations about competition among the attacking trio of Batshuayi, Osimhen, and Mauro Icardi, who is currently dealing with fitness issues, Batshuayi has emphasized the unity and collective focus within the team.

In a statement to the club’s official website, Batshuayi expressed his excitement about Osimhen joining the squad. He remarked, “There are three great forwards, all three of us are here to contribute to Galatasaray. Of course, the important thing here is the victories that Galatasaray will win. We have all found harmony together and we need to carry Galatasaray towards victories.”

The integration of Osimhen into the squad is expected to enhance Galatasaray’s attacking strength for the season. As the team prepares for the upcoming Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce, the trio of forwards, including Osimhen, is set to play a crucial role in aiming for a significant impact and achieving success for the club.