Category: PM News

Takumi Minamino was the difference-maker on Saturday as Monaco stunned champions Paris Saint-Germain with a hard-earned victory at the Stade Louis II.

The Japanese forward struck midway through the second half, finishing off an Aleksandr Golovin cross to hand Monaco a crucial win after three straight Ligue 1 defeats.

Monaco were forced to dig deep after former PSG defender Thilo Kehrer was sent off in the 80th minute following a VAR review. Despite seven minutes of added time and intense pressure, the hosts held firm until the final whistle.

The victory lifts Monaco to sixth place and halts their recent slide, while PSG — still top with 30 points from 14 matches — face the risk of being overtaken. Marseille and Lens both have the opportunity to leapfrog them before the weekend ends.

Paul Pogba made another short appearance from the bench as he continues his gradual return following a long doping suspension.

PSG came into the match off a 5-3 Champions League win over Tottenham but were without several key players, including Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes and Desire Doue. Ousmane Dembele, still regaining fitness, played just over half an hour but could not influence the outcome.

The defeat means PSG have now matched their total number of league losses from each of the past two seasons.

A lawmaker says he is not bothered

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has confirmed the removal of its only National Assembly member, Hon. Leke Abejide. The decision followed the Kogi State chapter’s recommendation, accusing him of repeated indiscipline and breaking party rules.

Abejide represents Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopa Moro Federal Constituency and has been a loyal ADC member since the 9th Assembly.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, announced the expulsion on his X page after a meeting in Abuja. He said the ADC will not accept any behaviour that goes against its principles of discipline, character, and integrity.

The party’s leadership also ordered all state and local party structures to quickly form new executive committees.

They asked state leaders to fill all vacant positions in wards, local governments, and the state, following earlier guidelines. Dates for upcoming congresses will be announced soon.

When contacted on WhatsApp for his reaction, Abejide simply replied with a laughing emoji and said he would respond properly after the court gives its judgment.

By the end of this weekend, one-third of the Premier League season will already be completed.

The biggest match is the top-of-the-table clash between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Many fans believe this game will show whether Mikel Arteta’s team can run away with the title or if Chelsea are real title challengers.

Before that match, there are other games where we might see surprising results:

1. Man City vs Leeds

Manchester City failed to keep up with the league leaders last weekend after losing 21 to Newcastle United. This week, they face an unpredictable Leeds United at home. City struggle a lot when Erling Haaland doesn’t score, so they could drop points again.

2. Tottenham vs Fulham

Tottenham are coming from two painful defeats — a 41 loss in the North London Derby and a 53 defeat to PSG in the Champions League. Their home form this season has not been good, and Fulham can be a tricky opponent. Spurs could slip up again.

3. Crystal Palace vs Man Utd

One of Manchester United’s worst results this season was losing 10 to Everton, even after Everton went down to 10 men early in the match.

United looked toothless in attack and seemed unlikely to score even if the game continued for hours. Now they face Crystal Palace, who have the second-best defence in the league. It could be another rough outing for United.

4. West Ham vs Liverpool

Arne Slot dominated the league in his first season, but this campaign has been a tough one for the Liverpool manager. Liverpool have lost 9 of their 12 matches so far.

West Ham are improving under Nuno Espirito Santo, and this match could bring another bad result for the defending champions.

Confusion spread across social media on Saturday after reports emerged claiming that veteran Nollywood actor and Yoruba cultural icon, Chief Lere Paimo (MON), had passed away at the age of 86.

The rumour gained traction when respected entertainment journalist and Chairman of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oleketuyi, announced on his social media pages that the actor had died.

In an Instagram post, Oleketuyi wrote: “Chief Lere Paimo (MON) is dead. Baba died at age 86. A strong man. Baba survived stroke twice. May Baba’s soul rest in peace, ” The Punch had reported.

The post immediately triggered widespread reactions from fans, colleagues and entertainment platforms.

But is the legendary actor truly dead?

Shortly after the death report began circulating, contradictory information surfaced from official industry bodies and individuals close to the actor.

The Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP) strongly refuted the claims, insisting that Chief Lere Paimo popularly known as Baba Eda Onile Ola is alive and well.

In an announcement signed by its National PRO, Prince Adejonwo Oluwafemi Femson, the association urged the public to disregard the rumour and always verify sensitive news before sharing. The statement read:

“Baba Eda, Chief Lere Paimo MFR is NOT Dead. He is alive and well. Disregard all rumours.”

The association further clarified:

“Reports circulating on Facebook about the passing of Chief Olalere OsunPaimo (MFR) are FALSE. We have confirmed with Baba Eda Onile Ola’s wife that he is alive and in good health.”

As at press time, Chief Paimo’s family had not issued an official public statement.

However, confirmation from his wife as relayed by ANTP and the association’s insistence that the actor is alive provide a credible counter to the viral death announcement.

By Uchenna Eletuo

The management of Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) has insisted that one Mr Kolawole Muyiwa, who was convicted of rape was not a staff member of the institution.

Speaking on the conviction of Muyiwa, LASUED Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Bilkis Lafiaji-Okuneye, said the convict was never a staff member of the university.

Lafiaji-Okuneye who described rape as debasing to humanity added that the school maintained a zero-tolerance stance toward the act.

The VC explained that the clarification became necessary to discourage such behaviour and to put the records straight for public awareness.

She described Muyiwa as an intruder to the university community, brought in by Mr Sunday Fawowe, a lecturer who allowed his friend to use his office where the rape of a female student occurred.

According to her, the culprit exploited the opportunity to violate the student, who was a minor at the time the crime was committed in 2021.

According to her, the school reported the incident, after which Muyiwa was prosecuted and later convicted.

“But the court’s judgment of Feb. 27, 2025, which convicted Muyiwa, pronounced him a staff member of the institution, contrary to his real status as an intruder who was never employed by the school,” she said.

“The university hereby unequivocally states that he was never in the employment of the institution.”

Contacted, Fawowe, who was linked in the judgment, declined to comment.

(NAN)

By Stephen Adeleye

Nigerian Army confirmed that a soldier and a vigilante operative were killed during rescue of 21 passengers from bandits along the Kabba-Obajana road axis of Kogi State.

The spokesperson for 12 Brigade, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, confirmed on Saturday in Lokoja.

Abdullahi added that rescue efforts had continued toward locating any remaining abductees and apprehending the perpetrators.

“Yes, it’s true. The incident happened on Thursday, and the troops are still combining the forest to apprehend the perpetrators,” Abdullahi said.

Sources had earlier reported that about 100 bandits targeted a convoy of six vehicles travelling between southern and northern Nigeria.

The source said that the attacks, which occurred around 2:00p.m, affected a Toyota Siena (YAB968AX), from Osogbo to Kaduna, a Toyota Hiace (7BGT78LG) from Owo to Abuja.

It also added that a Hiace (GKP178XA) from Abuja to Ekiti, a Toyota Carina (JMU648AA) from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck hauling 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus (FTA313XV) carrying pepper from Kano to Lagos, were also involved in the attacks.

The source said a joint rescue operation by the 12Brigade Nigerian Army, Quick Response Units (QRU), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilante, and hunters engaged the bandits in a gun duel, securing the release of 21 passengers, including men, women, and infants.

“Rescued individuals include: Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi and Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima and Nanko Joseph, and Enenche Paulina.

“Also rescued were Bright, Rachael and Deborah Enenche (9days old), Bukola and Toyin Clement, Glory and Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of the Dangote truck and J5 bus.

“Tragically, one soldier from Oshokoshoko sector and one vigilante from Odoape were killed,” the source said.

A troops of the 12 Brigade had in a coordinated operation on Tuesday, foiled an ambush by bandits, killed one bandit and rescued a kidnapped victim along Kabba-Obajana road.

The communities were urged to remain on high alert amid rising bandit activity in Kogi State.

(NAN)

The Enugu State Government has arrested the parents of a 13-year-old girl, the groom, his parents, and a matchmaker involved in an underage marriage in Amufie community, Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Gender, Women and Children Affairs, Hon. Ngozi Eni, said the arrests were made after all those involved ignored an invitation from the ministry. Their refusal to appear raised suspicion, prompting the government to act.

She explained that the marriage had already taken place even though the girl, Amarachi, is only 13 years old and could not give consent or understand what marriage means.

According to Eni, those arrested include the groom’s parents and a native doctor named Mrs. Patience, who acted as the matchmaker. The matchmaker claimed she did not know child marriage is against the law.

Amarachi, now under government protection, told officials she was forced into the marriage and has never attended school. The groom’s mother defended the marriage by saying her son is an only child, but she reportedly went silent when informed that child marriage is a crime.

The ministry’s legal team educated the arrested persons on the Child Rights Law and the dangers of early marriage, including health problems like VVF, cervical cancer, and psychological harm.

Security agencies are now handling the case. Amarachi and a two-year-old child found during the operation–whose mother has not been identified–are both in protective custody.

The commissioner assured that the government will take care of Amarachi, rehabilitate her, and ensure she gets an education. The illegal marriage will also be officially cancelled.

She thanked the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North LGA, Hon. Ogalla, the area’s House of Assembly member, and the Chairman of the Enugu State Civil Service Commission for their support during the operation.

Three people have lost their lives and another was injured in two unrelated fire incidents that occurred in Kano State on Friday, the State Fire Service has confirmed.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Service’s spokesperson, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, said the first emergency involved a petrol tanker carrying 30,000 litres of fuel which overturned and exploded at Kura Market Junction on the Zaria Road around 1:30 p.m.

The tanker, registered as NGZ 250 XA, was said to have struck a motorcyclist before bursting into flames. A retired Civil Defence officer, Danlami Muhammad, alerted the fire service, prompting the swift deployment of an emergency team from the headquarters.

“When our team arrived, the tanker was completely ablaze. Four people were involved. Three were found unconscious and later confirmed dead, while the motorcyclist survived the incident,” the statement said.

Firefighters, assisted by police officers and personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, eventually brought the fire under control. The bodies of the victims were handed over to ASP Ahmad Lawan of the Kura Police Division. Two fire engines–one from the headquarters and another from Kura station–were used in the operation.

The cause of the accident is still being determined.

A second fire incident was recorded about an hour later at Hamisu Plaza on Maiduguri Road in Taruni Local Government Area. By the time fire crews reached the scene at approximately 2:45 p.m., the upper floor of the two-storey commercial building was already engulfed.

Three shops were completely gutted, though firefighters managed to prevent the flames from spreading to other parts of the building. A fire engine stationed at the ongoing trade fair responded to the call.

The cause of the blaze at the plaza is also being investigated.

Comedian Emmanuel Ejekwu, popularly known as Sabinus, has opened up on the long road to getting his father’s approval for his career in comedy.

Speaking in an interview with VJ Adams, Sabinus revealed that his father strongly opposed his decision to become a comedian, insisting he study Law instead.

According to him, his father pushed repeatedly for a Law degree, but after several unsuccessful attempts at securing admission, he settled for Linguistics and Communication Studies at the University of Port Harcourt. It was there he discovered his comedy talent and began creating skits all without his father’s knowledge.

Sabinus said he kept his comedy hustle hidden throughout his university years. The truth only came out a year after his graduation, when his father saw his face on posters advertising comedy shows.

“He was very angry. He said, ‘Which comedy? Stupid business. Look at the boy I sent to become a lawyer,'” Sabinus recalled.

He noted that the turning point came when money started coming in. As he began supporting the family financially and gaining national recognition, his father’s resistance softened.

“It was when he started seeing the success and how I was helping out at home that he finally accepted,” he said.

Sabinus, who rose to fame through viral skits on social media, said his experience mirrors that of many young Nigerians whose parents push them toward traditional professions like Law, Medicine, or Engineering.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Europe-based Airbus has ordered urgent repairs on some 6,000 aircraft in the A320 family, more than half the global fleet, after a safety-critical software flaw threatened flight-control reliability.

The recall follows a serious mid-air incident involving a JetBlue Airways A320 on 30 October, when the jet experienced a sudden, uncommanded loss of altitude en route from Cancun to Newark.

Several passengers were injured before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tampa, Florida. Investigators traced the fault to corruption of flight-control data, apparently triggered by intense solar radiation affecting the aircraft’s electronic systems.

In response, regulators led by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive requiring carriers to revert affected jets to a proven older software version or install hardware safeguards before any further flights.

“Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls,” Airbus said in its statement.

The recall has sent shock waves across global aviation, forcing carriers to ground large portions of their A320-family fleets while maintenance teams roll out the fix.

In the United States, American Airlines, the world’s largest A320 operator, initially said some 340 of its 480 A320 jets would need the update. By late Friday the number was revised to 209, with most expected to be fixed overnight.

In Asia, airlines including IndiGo and Air India reported hundreds of A320s grounded. IndiGo’s regulator confirmed 338 aircraft were affected, though over half had received the update by Sunday.

Carriers like Jetstar in Australia cancelled roughly 90 flights after grounding 34 affected A320s.

irbus warned early on that the recall would “lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers.”

Technically, the fix is not complicated, airlines must revert to a previous software version, a job that typically takes about two hours per aircraft.

In many cases, this can be done during overnight maintenance or between flights.

However, the sheer scale of the recall, affecting thousands of jets, combined with high holiday-season travel demand, means that scheduling, hangar availability, and coordination challenges threaten to produce widespread delays and cancellations for days.

In some worst-case scenarios, affected jets may also require hardware modifications, which could keep them grounded for weeks.

The A320 family, the backbone of short- to medium-haul aviation worldwide, remains grounded in large numbers. With more than 11,000 A320-family jets in service globally, the disruption touches major carriers in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

Passengers may face flight delays, cancellations or rescheduling. Affected airlines are offering rebooking, refunds or alternate routing.

Airbus has reassured the public that safety is the top priority. The company apologised for the inconvenience and pledged to work closely with airlines to restore normal service as quickly as possible.