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Atiku mixes politics with football, vows to replicate Arsenal’s performance against Chelsea for Nigeria

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Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday, vowed to replicate Arsenal’s performance against Chelsea for Nigeria.

Atiku made the vow shortly after Arsenal defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

“Great win, Arsenal, even after a goalless first half. As Arsenal did in this game for we, the fans, we will also Recover Nigeria for Nigerians,” the PDP presidential candidate stated.

Gabriel scored the winner to return Arsenal to the top of the Premier League in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The central defender poked a probing goalward-bound looped effort from Bukayo Saka over the line for the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute.

Chelsea had been looking to return to winning ways in the league having been hammered 4-1 at Brighton the previous weekend, with manager Graham Potter suffering his first defeat since he took charge of the club in September.

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However, the Blues struggled to impose themselves on the game and finished with just two shots on target.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz had the best of the early chances in the first 10 minutes. After being played in down the left at the edge of the box, he managed to get a shot away but it did not trouble Aaron Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal.

The Gunners had an opportunity of their own in the 18th minute when Gabriel Martinelli tried his luck from range but it flew over the bar.

Another chance fell the way of the visitors when Martinelli tried to pick out Gabriel Jesus at the far post but the Arsenal forward was unable to direct his header from point-blank range goalwards.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, facing his former club for the first time since leaving the Gunners by mutual consent in February, was routinely booed and jeered by the traveling support.

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After a quiet first half, he had a half-chance at the start of the second but his attempted strike was blocked.

Arsenal had looked the more likely to break the deadlock but they did not have a shot on target until Gabriel made the decisive breakthrough.

Saka’s corner was not dealt with by the Chelsea defense and it looked on course to be already heading for the back of the net but Gabriel made sure.

Following the goal, Arsenal looked the most likely to find the net for a second time.

Martin Odegaard missed an opportunity to add to Arsenal’s tally when he was played in expertly by Jesus on a quick counter-attack. The Norway international had time to take a touch and create space to shoot from the edge of the box but his effort sailed over the bar.

Going behind sparked a bit more from Chelsea, as they looked to attack on the break, with Ben White having to get to the ball ahead of the Blues forward line and Gabriel also hooking the ball clear in the final 10 minutes.

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However, the home side did not significantly test Ramsdale in rainy conditions in southwest London.

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Soldiers’ Killings: Army transfers surrendered Delta monarch to Abuja

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The Army has reportedly flown the Ovie of Ewu kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Ikolo,  who surrendered himself to the Police in Asaba on Thursday to Abuja.

 

The Delta State Police Command handed over the king, who the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, declared wanted with seven others over the killing of 17 soldiers at Okuama on Friday morning.

 

The Commanding Officer Commanding Officer, 63 Brigade,  Nigeria Army, Asaba, the Delta State Police Commissioner,  and other senior military officers escorted the monarch to the Asaba International Airport.

 

The monarch was reported to have boarded an Air Peace airline, and the plane departed Asaba Airport tarmac at about 9.10 am to Abuja.

 

 

 

 

 

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Don’t condemn or curse Nigeria in your sermons — this is a beautiful land, Tinubu urges clerics

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President Bola Tinubu has appealed to religious leaders to desist from laying curses on the nation in their sermons.

The president spoke on Thursday while breaking the Ramadan fast with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the presidential villa.

Tinubu harped on the significant role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and promoting unity in the country.

The president asked the clerics to be constructive in their criticisms of government officials, saying his administration is determined to address Nigeria’s challenges.

 

“The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important,” Tinubu said.

 

“Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say: ‘no matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there’.

 

“Leave the beads there. This is your country, do not condemn it in sermons, and do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for changes.”

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Tinubu said instead of condemning the country, “bad” leaders should be shown the exit during elections.

 

“Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land,” Tinubu said.

 

Also speaking, Kashim Shettima, vice-president, advised religious leaders to continue to “build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides”.

 

“The president means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership,” he said.

 

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The president took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, said the monarchs are in support of Tinubu’s administration.

 

“You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” Ogunwusi said.

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Ahmed Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, who spoke for the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said Ramadan is a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

 

“I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the president for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” he said.

Samson Fatokun, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), commended Tinubu for fostering unity in the country.

 

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation.”

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Tompolo rejects Tinubu’s wish for low-key birthday, buys out frontpage of dailies

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Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has rejected President Bola Tinubu’s wish for a low-key birthday celebration by buying the frontpages of a slew of national newspapers to celebrate the 72nd birthday of President.

Tompolo is the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an oil pipeline surveillance firm that tackles crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

 

Last Sunday, the presidency announced that Tinubu will not celebrate his 72nd birthday on March 29 “in deference to the challenging times” in the country.

The presidency said the president “does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name”.

Tinubu also “enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name”.


However, on Friday, Tompolo placed birthday messages for Tinubu on the frontpages of at least eight national dailies.

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TheCable understands that a frontpage newspaper advert of the size Tompolo splurged on costs an average of N10 million.

 

This is not the first time the Tantita boss will use the frontpage of dailies to celebrate Tinubu.

In October 2023, after the supreme court affirmed Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, Tompolo bought the frontpages of several dailies to celebrate the judgment.

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