Author: Amina Mohammed

Sir Keir Starmer has addressed the nation for the first time as Prime Minister, assuring that his government will serve the people. Sir Keir entered Downing Street amidst a crowd of cheering Labour supporters waving Union, Welsh, and Scottish flags. He began his address by acknowledging his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, commending him for his achievement as the first British Asian Prime Minister and recognizing the “extra effort” required for such a milestone. “The country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and the return of politics to public service,” Sir Keir declared. He spoke about the public’s disengagement with…

Britain’s head of state King Charles III officially appointed Labour leader Keir Starmer as prime minister on Friday during an audience at Buckingham Palace. A photograph released by the palace showed the monarch shaking hands with Starmer, whose party won a landslide election victory. The king earlier accepted the resignation of Conservative leader Rishi Sunak. “The King received in audience The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP today and requested him to form a new Administration,” a palace statement read. “Sir Keir accepted His Majesty’s offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the…

Kylian Mbappe said Thursday it would be “an honour” to play against his boyhood hero Cristiano Ronaldo when France and Portugal meet in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 in Hamburg on Friday. “It is an honour. Everyone knows about my admiration for Cristiano,” France captain Mbappe, 25, told reporters on the eve of the game. Growing up, Mbappe famously decorated his bedroom wall with pictures of Ronaldo and was introduced to the Portuguese superstar at Real Madrid’s training ground when the Spanish club tried to sign him as a young teenager. “I have got to know him over time. We…

Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi has congratulated Keir Starmer and the Labour Party in the United Kingdom (UK) for their landslide victory in Thursday’s election. The former Anambra state governor who had earlier declared his support for the UK Labour Party, called for increased collaboration between the UK and Nigeria. He wrote on X: ”I sincerely congratulate Keir Starmer, and the Labour Party UK on the landslide victory they recorded in Thursday’s election. ”May the victory translate to a better and new chapter for all the UK residents as you remain committed to your electoral…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has suspended the Permit for Non-Commercial Flights, PNCF, of 10 private jet operators. The operators, including Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd, Matrix Energy Ltd, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd, were said to have violated regulations prohibiting the use of aircraft for commercial purposes. Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, Mr Michael Achimugu, said in a statement that the agency had directed all PNCF holders to undergo a mandatory re-evaluation…

Emiliano Martinez saved two penalties to spare Lionel Messi’s blushes as Argentina advanced to the Copa America semi-final. Argentina, once again, had goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to thank as they beat Ecuador 4-2 on penalties in their Copa America 2024 quarter-final on Friday morning. After not conceding a goal during the group stages, Argentina were put under defensive pressure early as Ecuador had two efforts in the 15th minute. Lionel Scaloni’s side grew into the contest, however, and they opened the scoring after 35 minutes. A corner from Lionel Messi was flicked on by Alexis Mac Allister with Lisandro Martinez on…

The Naira yesterday depreciated in the parallel market to N1,535 per dollar from N1,520 per dollar on Wednesday. Similarly, the Naira depreciated to N1,520.24 per dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market, NAFEM. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for NAFEM fell to N1,520.24 per dollar from N1,512.61 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N7.63 depreciation for the naira. The volume of dollars traded (turnover) in the market rose by 51 percent to $173.51 million from $114.91 million traded on Wednesday. Consequently, the margin between the parallel market and NAFEM rates widened to N14.76 per dollar from…

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, July 4 2024 said it has mobilised no fewer than 4000 staff to track promoters of violence in the country. The agency in a statement by Paul Odenyi, deputy director of press, NOA said it has activated its civil intelligence network, ordering its 812 offices around the country to identify incident spots and individuals nationwide involved in the planned protest. The statement reads: “This directive comes as the EFCC reported that certain individuals, especially those being investigated by the Commission, are mobilising youths, including school children, to stage a nationwide protest against the…

The Samoa Agreement signed by Nigeria at the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium is in the country’s interest, the Federal Government has said. Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris, who clarified Nigeria’s stand, said the agreement is about sustainable economic growth and development and other beneficial protocols. The minister’s clarification came against the backdrop of the controversy generated by the pact. Idris said Nigeria made it clear that any provision that is inconsistent with the laws of Nigeria shall be invalid, by ensuring that none of the 103 Articles and Provisions of…

Jeremy Corbyn has won Islington North, the constituency he has represented since 1983 – but for the first time has been elected as an independent MP. The former leader of the opposition beat Praful Nargund, a local Labour councillor selected by the party’s executive committee as its candidate in May. Corbyn won 24,120 votes, with Nargund securing 16,873 votes. Turnout for the election was 67.5%, down from 71.6% in 2019. In his victory speech, Corbyn said he had fought a “positive campaign”. The political system must produce answers for social problems, he said, adding that demonising asylum seekers was not…