Category: PM News

The Reds dominated possession in the opening stages and nearly doubled their lead through Virgil van Dijk, whose effort sailed narrowly over the crossbar.

Chelsea, however, gradually settled into the contest and found their equaliser in the 35th minute. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez curled a stunning free-kick beyond goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the ball going in off the post to restore parity for the visitors.

Both sides created several opportunities after the restart as the tempo of the match increased. Chelsea briefly thought they had taken the lead in the 50th minute when Cole Palmer converted from close range after a rebound, but the effort was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.

Liverpool also suffered frustration when Curtis Jones had a goal disallowed for offside just before the hour mark.

Dominik Szoboszlai came agonisingly close to restoring Liverpool’s lead in the 71st minute, rattling the post with a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, while Van Dijk later saw a towering header crash against the crossbar.

Chelsea pushed hard in the closing stages and were awarded a lifeline when Joao Pedro went down inside the box late on, prompting referee Craig Pawson to consult VAR. However, after review, the official waved away penalty appeals, much to the frustration of the visitors.

The encounter ended on a tense note with several yellow cards issued, including cautions for Alexis Mac Allister, Joe Gomez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo.

By Daniel Obaje/Safia Abdulrahman

Female aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged Nigerian women to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration and back more women seeking elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The call was made on Friday in Abuja at an event organised by the Forum of 2027 APC Female Aspirants Network (FAFAN) to endorse Tinubu for a second term.

Princess Nikky Onyeri, National Convener of FAFAN, said the president was working tirelessly to address the country’s challenges and appealed to women to remain patient and supportive.

“The President, I can assure you, is working and you will feel more of his impact. Women should exercise a little patience and continue to give him unwavering support.

“He is working round the clock to ensure that all parts of the country feel his impact,” she said.

Onyeri added that governors should also be held accountable for delivering development to the people because they were closer to the grassroots.

She said the endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid was in recognition of the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda, especially on women.

According to her, more than 500 women have shown interest in contesting elective positions under the APC, signalling growing female participation in politics.

“This is the first time you would have more than 500 women stepping out with courage, compassion and resilience to contest political positions.

“We are saying women who have collected forms and have the capacity should be given tickets, while affirmative action should also be considered in elective positions, appointive positions and party structures,” she said.

Onyeri also stressed the need for inclusiveness, noting that the group was encouraging the participation of youths and persons living with disabilities in politics.

Also speaking, President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs Edna Azura, urged female aspirants to intensify grassroots mobilisation and support one another to strengthen women’s participation in politics.

“As you heard from the various speakers, female aspirants were advised to go to the grassroots, campaign house-to-house and seek support from fellow women because they cannot do it alone,” she said.

Azura said women were now adopting more strategic approaches to politics through trainings, fundraising and coordinated campaigns.

She commended Tinubu for appointing women into key positions and supporting initiatives aimed at improving women’s economic wellbeing.

“We are still pleading with him to support the passage of the special seats bill at the National Assembly because that will help women move closer to the 35 per cent affirmative action,” she said.

Earlier, Mrs Nkiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, urged women to mobilise early and support fellow female aspirants.

“We have to go to the grassroots and campaign, not with fake promises but with promises of meeting the needs of our people,” she said.

The APC National Women Leader, Mary Alile, represented by Cross River Commissioner Mrs Mary Julius, said APC women remained firmly behind the Tinubu administration.

“Women are not just voters; women are builders of homes, communities, businesses and the nation itself. We have the competence, capacity, intelligence and compassion needed in leadership,” she said.

NAN

Nigeria’s First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has poured encomiums of female musician, Alhaja Salawa Abeni, popularly known as Waka Queen on her 65th birthday.

The First Lady, in a statement on Saturday noted that the journey of Abeni in the music industry has been marked by resilience, and excellence.

She also noted that the musician has through her musical output have been the rich culture and heritage of Nigeria for decades.

Tinubu prayed that the Almighty God would grant the Waka Queen divine health, peace, joy, happiness, and many more fruitful years.

The statement read “I felicitate with you, family, friends and loved ones on the occasion of your 65th birthday.Your journey in the Nigerian music industry has remained a symbol of talent, resilience, and excellence, expressing the rich culture and heritage of our nation for decades.

“Your dedication to your craft and your impact on the entertainment industry continue to earn you admiration and respect globally with your fans in the diaspora.

“I pray that Almighty God grants you divine health, peace, joy, happiness, and many more fruitful years.

“Happy 65th Birthday, Queen Salawa Abeni”

The dramatic confrontation, which lasted for hours in the early hours of Thursday, saw heavily armed terrorists launch coordinated attacks from multiple directions on the Headquarters 27 Brigade and the Buni Gari Checkpoint.

The Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Uba said the attackers stormed the military locations from the western flank before reinforcing their assault through the Ganinga Junction axis and the south-western corridor in an attempt to encircle troops.

He noted that the soldiers responded with “devastating firepower, tactical brilliance and resolute determination,” forcing the terrorists into a chaotic retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

According to him, troops employed indirect fire and offensive-defensive tactics that systematically dismantled the coordinated assault from all directions.

Uba added that the terrorists fled with several dead and wounded fighters, leaving blood trails along their escape routes, while troops maintained full control of the military camp throughout the battle.

“At no point was any part of the camp breached, as the integrity of the location remained fully intact throughout the engagement,” he stated.

The army spokesman disclosed that exploitation operations conducted after the encounter led to the recovery of at least 10 terrorist corpses around the immediate vicinity of the base, while intelligence sources confirmed that more than 20 additional bodies were discovered across bushes around Gashua, Azare and Kamuya along the insurgents’ withdrawal paths.

Uba further said the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI played a decisive role in the operation by providing real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support.

“The synchronised air-land operation further underscored the magnitude of the defeat inflicted on the terrorists,” Uba added.

Security forces also recovered a large cache of weapons and explosives from the fleeing insurgents, including eight AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, two Rocket-Propelled Grenade tubes, five RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, ammunition boxes, loaded magazines, bandoliers and three Improvised Explosive Device canisters.

Uba said troops, supported by volunteer forces, have continued aggressive exploitation operations across the general area to track fleeing terrorists and prevent any regrouping attempt.

He, however, confirmed that two soldiers lost their lives during the intense confrontation.

Uba described the fallen personnel as gallant troops who paid the supreme price in defence of the nation, noting that their sacrifice reflected courage, patriotism and unwavering commitment to national security.

He maintained that the failed assault highlighted the growing desperation of terrorist groups facing sustained military pressure across the North-East theatre.

Pep Guardiola has made fun of Manchester United for celebrating their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

United secured a top-five finish after beating Liverpool FC 2-1 last Sunday. The result confirmed their return to Europe’s top competition after missing out this season.

Guardiola said Manchester City had already secured Champions League qualification several games earlier.

He said City reached the FA Cup final and qualified for the Champions League “four or five matches before the end of the season.”

Guardiola also pointed out how excited Manchester United players and fans were after getting the result they needed against Liverpool, saying it showed how difficult qualifying for the competition can be.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

In a spectacular night of triumph and recognition, The actress secured the prestigious honour shortly after winning the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in The Herd, completing a remarkable double victory at the ceremony.

Africa Magic celebrated Ejiofor’s achievement by describing her as “the woman who brought the most vibrant flavour to our screens this year,” praising a performance many industry observers considered one of the finest of the awards season. The Best Lead Actress category was sponsored by Onga Nigeria.

Ejiofor reportedly earned the award for her gripping performance in The Serpent’s Gift, a powerful Igbo language drama that also received recognition in the Best Indigenous Language Film category.

Her commanding portrayal in the movie drew widespread acclaim for its emotional intensity, authenticity and cultural depth, further showcasing her versatility as an actress capable of excelling in both supporting and lead roles.

The double triumph places Ejiofor among a select group of performers who have won multiple acting awards in a single AMVCA edition, cementing her place as one of Nollywood’s most accomplished talents.

Over the years, the actress has built a strong reputation for delivering emotionally layered performances across television and film, earning admiration from critics, colleagues and audiences across Africa.

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Nigeria National Security Adviser, (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has undertaken a three-day working visit to the United States as part of efforts to deepen cooperation on security, counterterrorism, regional stability, and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on media and strategy, Bayo Onanuga revealed this in a statement on Saturday.

According to the statement, Ribadu, during the three-day working visit to the United States from May 4 to May 6, held a series of high-level engagements with senior officials of the U.S. government.

He also conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong commitment to Nigeria’s longstanding strategic partnership with the United States.

The statement listed those the NSA met during the visit to include US Vice President J. D. Vance, the Acting National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; the Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker; and Assistant Secretary of War, Daniel Zimmerim.

“The meetings provided an opportunity for both sides to review the current state of NigeriaUnited States relations and to further strengthen ongoing collaboration in counterterrorism, defence cooperation, intelligence sharing, regional security, economic resilience, and democratic governance,” Onanuga said.

According to the statement, during the meetings, Ribadu emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation in addressing emerging security challenges confronting West Africa and the broader Sahel region, particularly terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, and cyber threats.

Ribadu also assured the U.S government officials that Nigeria remains fully committed to working with international partners in promoting peace, stability, democratic governance, and economic development across Africa. He further underscored Nigeria’s role as a regional leader and frontline state in counterterrorism efforts across the Lake Chad Basin and West Africa.

“Discussions also focused on the evolving security situation in the Sahel, the need for enhanced regional cooperation, and the importance of strengthening institutional capacity to respond effectively to complex and asymmetric threats.

“During his meeting with Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker at the U.S. Department of State, NSA Ribadu expressed Nigeria’s appreciation to the U.S. government for its continued support and cooperation in various sectors, particularly in security assistance, intelligence collaboration, defence capacity building, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.

“He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the agreed roadmap under the NigeriaU.S. Joint Working Group (JWG), established to advance structured bilateral cooperation on strategic and security-related matters.

“Both sides reviewed progress under the JWG framework. They discussed practical measures to enhance the implementation of agreed initiatives, including intelligence sharing, military cooperation, counterterrorism support, border security, strategic communications, and capacity development for Nigerian security institutions.

“The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining regular channels of communication and strengthening institutional coordination between the two countries to address common security challenges. “The NSA also used the opportunity to brief U.S. officials on ongoing reforms and operational measures being undertaken by the Government of Nigeria to improve national security, stabilise affected communities, and address the root causes of insecurity. He emphasised the administration’s whole-of-government approach, which combines kinetic and non-kinetic measures, including community engagement, economic development, deradicalisation initiatives, and regional partnerships.

“U.S. officials commended Nigeria’s continued leadership role in regional peace and security efforts and acknowledged Nigeria’s importance as a strategic partner of the United States in Africa.

“Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, economic cooperation, and the promotion of sustainable peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel.

“The meetings concluded with a mutual commitment to deepen further bilateral engagement through sustained diplomatic dialogue, enhanced defence and security cooperation, and the effective implementation of ongoing bilateral initiatives under the Joint Working Group framework.

“Both Nigeria and the United States expressed optimism about the future of the strategic partnership. They reaffirmed their readiness to continue working closely to advance shared interests and address common global and regional challenges.”

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Kwankwaso declared his support during his speech at the NDC National Convention held in Abuja on Saturday.

The former presidential candidate said the zoning arrangement reflected the party’s commitment to equity, federal character and inclusive leadership at a time Nigeria was facing deep political, economic and security challenges.

“It is therefore with great sense of unity and solidarity, that as a loyal party member, I support the decision to zone the presidential ticket of the NDC to the South, so that it allows the region to complete its turn in producing national leadership,” Kwankwaso said.

He noted that the country was currently at a critical crossroads and needed visionary leadership capable of repositioning Nigeria amid changing global realities.

According to him, poor leadership had left Nigeria unprepared for ongoing geopolitical shifts across the world, worsening hardship and insecurity across the country.

“We are witnessing a sharp decline in the quality of life. Insecurity has created widows and orphans across the land. Millions have been displaced from their homes,” he stated.

Kwankwaso added that investments were leaving the country while infrastructure and education continued to deteriorate under harsh economic policies that lacked meaningful relief measures for citizens.

The former governor, however, said Nigeria’s political history had repeatedly shown that national progress often emerged through strategic alliances and inclusive leadership arrangements.

He recalled the historic political partnerships between Aminu Kano’s Northern Elements Progressive Union and Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons in 1954, as well as the coalition between the NCNC and the Northern People’s Congress that paved the way for Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

Kwankwaso also referenced the alliance between former President Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme during the Second Republic, saying such collaborations helped strengthen national unity after years of military rule.

“This represents a true opportunity for true national healing. We shall work in abidance with the party’s agreement to ensure fairness and federal character in all ramifications,” he said.

Kwankwaso further stated that the NDC would prioritise leadership free from ethnic and religious bias.

“This party shall also ensure to change the way things are done today by prioritising leadership without ethnic jingoism and religious favouritism,” he added.

He expressed confidence that the party would restore Nigeria’s dignity and improve the treatment of citizens both at home and abroad.

Kwankwaso also urged Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process by registering to vote and joining the NDC.

Akindele, who was nominated for her performance in “Behind the Scenes,” missed out on the prestigious award despite being considered one of the strongest contenders in the category.

Other nominees included Olamide Kidbaby for “Oversabi Aunty,” Bisola Aiyeola for “Gingerrr,” veteran actress Sola Sobowale for “The Covenant Series,” Nadia Dutch for “Aljana,” Amal Umar for “The Herd,” and Juliebrenda Nyambura for “MTV Shuga Mashariki.”

The announcement sparked excitement among fans and industry stakeholders at the award ceremony, with many applauding Linda Ejiofor’s standout performance in the movie.

The AMVCA remains one of Africa’s biggest entertainment platforms, celebrating outstanding achievements in television, film and digital content across the continent.

Manchester City have moved closer to Arsenal in the Premier League title race after a strong 30 win on Saturday, cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to just two points.

The victory came at an important moment for Pep Guardiola’s side, who had earlier dropped points in the week after a dramatic 33 draw with Everton.

That result had raised doubts about their consistency, but City quickly showed a strong response in this match to keep their title challenge alive.

The game was tight in the first half, with both teams struggling to create clear scoring chances.

Manchester City controlled most of the possession, but they could not break through before halftime, and the match remained goalless going into the break.

However, the second half was a different story. City increased their intensity and began to dominate more clearly.

Their pressure eventually paid off when Jeremy Doku scored the opening goal with a well-placed curling shot that gave the goalkeeper no chance.

After the first goal, City became more confident and continued to attack. Their star striker Erling Haaland soon added a second goal, finishing from close range after good team play in the final third.

This goal gave City full control of the match and made it difficult for their opponents to recover.

Later in the game, substitute Omar Marmoush came off the bench and made an impact by scoring the third goal.

His goal sealed the victory and confirmed a comfortable win for Manchester City in front of their home fans.

With this result, the Premier League title race remains very tight. Arsenal are still at the top of the table, but their lead has been reduced to just two points.

They now face pressure to respond when they play West Ham in their next match, where a win could extend their advantage to five points again.

As the season approaches its final stages, both teams remain in strong contention, and every remaining match could play a key role in deciding who will become champions.