December 29, 2018
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, has given unconditional approval for female students to wear hijab in schools as one of the criteria for voting for any governorship candidate in the state.
It emphasised although it is not a political organisation, millions of its members are qualified voters.
The Amir of the MSSN in Lagos State, Dr Saheed Ashafa, said this in a statement on the state of the nation and the organisation’s ongoing 106th Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) holding at the Human Capital Development Centre (HCDC), Epe. Read more
2018 in retrospect: A year full of killings and national rebirth in some ways (Guardian)
Although defection from one political party to another is not new in Nigerian politics, but the number of politicians who dumped their parties ahead of next year’s general elections was unprecedented.
The first case of carpet-crossing was in 1951, when 20 of the 42 members of the defunct National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in parliament defected to the defunct Action Group (AG) to prevent the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe from becoming premier of the old Western Region. Read more
2019: PDP rejects nationwide military ‘Operation Python Dance’ (Vanguard)
The PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO), Saturday condemned plan by the federal government to commence a nationwide military ‘Operation Python Dance’ describing it as part of moves to rig the polls in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The party noted that the plot is in consonant with the desperation of the Buhari-led Presidency to foist a siege mentality on the nation ahead of the 2019 general elections, harass voters and create a sense of escalated insecurity, so as to stalemate the electoral process, given that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, cannot win in a free and fair contest. Read more
2019: Buhari lacks capacity to defeat Boko Haram, says CUPP (Punch)
The Coalition of United Political Parties has said that President Muhammadu Buhari lacked the capacity to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.
CUPP in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere said that the president was bereft of ideas to combat the insurgents.
It said that Buhari was more concerned about winning the 2019 election than winning the war in the NorthEast. Read more
Shagari buried in Sokoto (Vanguard)
Former President Shehu Aliyu Usman Shagari (1925-2018) has been laid to rest. Mr. Boss Mustapha, secretary of the Government of the Federation led the Federal Government delegation to the burial of former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari in Sokoto today.
Shagari, 93, was laid to rest in his hometown, Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto state at about 3.30 pm. The funeral prayer was led by Professor Shehu Galadanchi, former Vice Chancellor, Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto. Shagari’s corpse arrived at the Sultan Abubakar Airport, Sokoto earlier and was received by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, alongside members of the state executive council. Read more
Saraki, Nwodo, Atiku, Akinjide, Balarabe Musa mourn Shagari (Guardian)
It was the end of another political era, yesterday, with the death of Second Republic President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari. He was 93.
One of his grandsons, Bello Shagari, who confirmed the passage of the former school teacher and one of Nigeria’s most humble leaders at the National Hospital, Abuja, wrote on his Twitter handle, @Belshagy: “I regret announcing the death of my grandfather, H.E. Alhaji Shehu Shagari, who died after brief illness at the National Hospital, Abuja,” he tweeted.
Shagari was overthrown in the military coup of December 31, 1983 that ushered in the government of then head-of-state, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, now President. Read more
PDP mourns Shehu Shagari, says Buhari’s coup a disservice to Nigeria (Tribune)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed very deep sadness over the passing of foremost nationalist and former President of Nigeria, Alhaji
Shehu Shagari, describing it as a national tragedy. In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by Kola Ologbondiyan Director, Media & Publicity PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, the party described the late former president as a man of peace, an exceptionally honest Nigerian, outstanding leader, quintessential administrator and a symbol of national unity, who made immeasurable sacrifices for the development, unity and stability of our nation. Read more
Nigeria lost a father, true democrat in Shagari —Dogara (Punch)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has described former President Shehu Shagari who died on Friday as a true democrat and an icon of transparency.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, Dogara further described the late Shagari as “a president for all Nigerians. Read more
Governor Okowa Mourns Shagari (Leadership)
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has sent condolences to Nigerians, and to the Government and people of Sokoto State, on the death of former President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, GCFR on Friday.
In a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the Governor commiserated with the entire Shagari village, the Sokoto Caliphate, and the Shagari family, over the loss of the former President, noting that the deceased’s regular counsels on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed. Read more
Shagari will be remembered for his contribution to democracy – Okiro (Vanguard)
A former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, said the death of former President Shehu Shagari was a monumental loss to Nigeria.
Okiro said this in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Supreme Ibitomi on Saturday in Abuja. He said Shagari would be remembered for his contribution as a bastion of democracy in Nigeria. Read more
Pope prays for victims killed by roadside bomb in Egypt (DailyMail)
The Vatican says Pope Francis is praying for the victims of a roadside bomb that hit a tourist bus in Egypt.
In a condolence telegram sent Saturday by the Vatican secretary of state to Egypt’s president, Francis was said to be “deeply saddened” by the attack near the Giza Pyramids. Three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide were killed in Friday’s attack, and 10 were seriously injured.
The Vatican says Francis invoked divine blessing upon Egypt and its people, while “trusting that all will work to overcome violence with solidarity and peace.” Read more
2018: A year of media suppression and rights abuses in Pakistan (Aljazeera)
Sneaky, sinister and Orwellian are just some of the words Pakistani journalists and human rights defenders used to describe the censorship and growing clampdown on dissent, mainstream and social media in their country over the past year.
Although previous Pakistani governments also put pressure on civil society and the media, this year, many Pakistanis working in these fields I talked to felt that direct and indirect repression has increased significantly. Read more
Anger over dictatorship, not bread, fueling Sudan uprising (DW)
People took to the streets in the town of Atbara in the north-east on December 19 to voice their grievances, spawning similar protests in the streets of other towns and the capital Khartoum.
The protesters are calling for freedom, peace, justice and a change in leadership in the northeast African country. The government of President Omar Al Bashir is responding with live ammunition, tear gas and stun grenades. Protesters who survive the deadly clashes simply regroup and return to the streets. Read more
Ronaldo brace seals new record for Juventus (StraitsTimes)
Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace as Italian champions Juventus finished 2018 on a high with a 2-1 win over Sampdoria giving the Italian champions a new record of 53 points before the winter break.
Ronaldo curled in the opener after just two minutes in Turin adding a second from the penalty spot after 66 minutes, putting the Portuguese top of Serie A’s scoring charts with 14 goals.
Fabio Quagliarella pulled Sampdoria level with a penalty after 33 minutes, with the visitors having a late Riccardo Saponara goal ruled offside after consultation with the video assistant referee. Read more
Inter Milan to play two games behind closed doors after racist abuse (DW)
Italy’s top football league has ordered Inter Milan to play their next two home games behind closed doors after some of the club’s supporters racially insulted Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly during Wednesday’s Serie A match at San Siro.
Serie A’s disciplinary tribunal also handed Koulibaly a two-match ban after he was sent off for sarcastically applauding the referee when he was booked for a foul. Read more
Australian Open develops ‘heat stress scale’ to protect players (Aljazeera)
Officials have scrapped the use of wet bulb globe temperature readings for next month’s Australian Open which should result in more matches suspended or delayed by Melbourne’s notoriously hot, dry and often windy conditions in January.
The wet bulb index is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover. Read more
CCL: Lobi draw Wydad, Sundowns (Punch)
Nigeria’s representatives in the CAF Champions League Lobi Stars were on Friday handed a tough draw in the group stage of the competition.
The Makurdi club were drawn in Group A along with Ivory Coast’s ASEC Mimosas, Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.
Also, Enugu Rangers were handed Lesotho side Bantu in the CAF Confederation Cup play-offs. Read more