Abba Abubakar, the son of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, has officially become a member of Adamawa State’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Yola North Local Government Area, Abubakar completed his registration on Monday.
He thanked party leaders and supporters who welcomed him after the exercise.
He said, “I am very grateful that these people have come out and supported me.”
Abubakar expressed his optimism regarding his political journey within the state and acknowledged APC leaders at all levels of the state’s political structure.
“I want to thank the APC members, the state exco leaders, the leaders of women, youth, and chairman.
I’m proud of the people of Adamawa because they deserve my gratitude. You and I are your children. We are going to go a very long way thanks to God’s grace, he said.
Governor Yusuf defeats the APC with nine federal lawmakers in the states.
His temporary APC membership card includes information for his registration, including Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government Area, and Adamawa State.
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, is in. Images courtesy of Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun
The former Vice President, however, earlier said that his son’s choice was a personal choice driven by individual conscience, underscoring that such political choices are common in democratic settings, even when they involve close family members.
He added that plural politics’ distinctive political alignments are common.
The development comes a few months after Atiku Abubakar officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which platform he frequently used to run for president.
Abba Abubakar, the son of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, has officially become a member of Adamawa State’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
In Yola North Local Government Area, Abubakar completed his registration on Monday.
He thanked party leaders and supporters who welcomed him after the exercise.
He said, “I am very grateful that these people have come out and supported me.”
Abubakar expressed his optimism regarding his political journey within the state and acknowledged APC leaders at all levels of the state’s political structure.
“I want to thank the APC members, the state exco leaders, the leaders of women, youth, and chairman.
I’m proud of the people of Adamawa because they deserve my gratitude. You and I are your children. We are going to go a very long way thanks to God’s grace, he said.
Governor Yusuf defeats the APC with nine federal lawmakers in the states.
His temporary APC membership card includes information for his registration, including Gwadabawa Ward, Yola North Local Government Area, and Adamawa State.
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president, is in. Images courtesy of Channels TV/Sodiq Adelakun
The former Vice President, however, earlier said that his son’s choice was a personal choice driven by individual conscience, underscoring that such political choices are common in democratic settings, even when they involve close family members.
He added that plural politics’ distinctive political alignments are common.
The development comes a few months after Atiku Abubakar officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which platform he frequently used to run for president.
Following her groundbreaking film, Behind the Scenes, the Federal Government has praised actress and director Funke Akindele.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), which praised the achievement as a milestone for Nollywood and the creative sector of Nigeria, gave the award.
The organization claimed Akindele had kept up her lead at the box office and that Behind the Scenes had sold over $2.1 billion in tickets in a post on X on Monday.
Behind the Scenes continues to be in front of Funke Akindele. The agency cited the agency’s desire for bigger screens, bigger stars, and even bigger numbers.
What’s pooping, exactly? Behind the Scenes and Funke Akindele Remains in the lead
Bigger numbers, bigger stars, and bigger screens! This time, Funke Akindele broke records, and she did it again.
Her most recent film, “Behind the Scenes,” has a… image. twitter.com/fOrmDTlX5t
Also available as a PDF of Funke Akindele’s “Behind the Scenes,” which has made the box office history
The movie broke records as the first Nollywood production to surpass the $2 billion mark at the box office in Nigeria, according to the NOA.
It also cited the film’s overseas success, which earned more than $111, 256 in Canada and $ 90, 249 in North America, as evidence of “nollywood’s growing global appeal.”
The success, according to the agency, has made Akindele the first director to top the African box office for three straight years, making Behind the Scenes the highest-grossing Nollywood movie in Africa, the UK, and Ireland.
On January 12, Akindele broke the $2 billion milestone, making her the highest-grossing director in Africa.
FilmOne Entertainment earlier confirmed the feat, calling it unprecedented and record-breaking for the Nigerian film industry.
Akindele praised discipline, faith, and a commitment to storytelling as the reasons for their success.
Records are milestones, not the purpose. She said, “Serve the story, respect the audience, perfect the craft, and give the work its applause.”
Scotland are confident visa issues will not delay their players’ arrival at the men’s T20 World Cup as chief executive Trudy Lindblade detailed the frantic preparations involved in their “unique” last-minute tournament plans.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) brought in Scotland to replace Bangladesh on Saturday, with the event set to start on 7 February.
It came after the ICC rejected a request from Bangladesh to move their games from India to Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament. Bangladesh had cited safety concerns amid growing tensions between the countries.
Scotland were given the spot courtesy of being the highest-ranked team – in 14th – not already at the event.
Cricket Scotland officials have been working around the clock since Lindblade picked up a call from ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta at the start of last weekend.
There is still a tight turnaround to get all of their players, including seamer Safyaan Sharif who has Pakistani heritage, visas in time to enter India.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been invited, but it is certainly in unique and challenging circumstances,” Lindblade told BBC Stumped.
“We’re all confident at the moment we can get everybody out there.”
Scotland are hoping to bring on board a major sponsor and are optimistic a new playing kit for the tournament will arrive before they leave.
“If we’ve got kits, that’s a bonus. If not, you might see us in our regular Cricket Scotland playing kits,” Lindblade said.
“We’ve got seven days to turn around a sponsor.”
Scotland have effectively inherited Bangladesh’s itinerary for the World Cup and will initially be based in Bengaluru.
They are expected to play warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia on 2 and 4 February at the Board of Control for Cricket in India centre of excellence in nearby Singahalli.
Scotland are scheduled to play West Indies on the opening day of the tournament at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and do not envisage that fixture being pushed back at this stage.
Scotland squad for T20 World Cup: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wicketkeeper), Brad Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.
23 hours ago
‘Sympathy with Bangladesh’
A fourth-place finish at last summer’s Europe Qualifier looked to have cost Scotland a place at the 2026 T20 World Cup as the Netherlands and Italy secured the two spots on offer for the region from that event.
Lindblade has already spoken to Cricket Jersey counterpart Sarah Gomersall, given the Channel Islanders might have felt somewhat aggrieved having finished above Scotland in third place at the Europe Qualifier.
Her diplomacy extended to expressing sympathies to Bangladesh’s players who will miss out on the tournament.
Cricket Scotland had waited for the call to come from the ICC out of respect to their counterparts at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
“We do have sympathy for the Bangladesh players and their fans because you know as cricketers they just want to play the game,” Lindblade said.
“But these are circumstances that are beyond our control. They are matters for the ICC and the BCB to work through. But when it comes to that, absolutely, we’re human beings, so that empathy does come there.
“I’d like to think that it’s not becoming a more divided sport and if it is, that we can see that and we can work together to make sure that that doesn’t happen.”
As an Associate member, Scotland receive approximately £2.7m ($3.8m) from the ICC revenue distribution model.
It is a pittance compared to full members – England receive close to £33m in addition to lucrative broadcast deals.
Participation in the World Cup will provide Scotland with a valuable cash injection – they picked up £203,000 ($250,000) from the T20 World Cup in 2024 – but the late nature of inclusion means a greater outlay as well.
Scotland will take two travelling reserves, something they would not normally do for financial reasons, given the risk of injury to players, and they hope the ICC will cover the cost.
“I think the conversations will happen if there’s anything that we’ve had to unreasonably do,” Lindblade said.
“As any team that qualifies for a World Cup, there are financial benefits with that. So we need to make sure that we make the most of it.”
Scotland are confident visa issues will not delay their players’ arrival at the men’s T20 World Cup as chief executive Trudy Lindblade detailed the frantic preparations involved in their “unique” last-minute tournament plans.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) brought in Scotland to replace Bangladesh on Saturday, with the event set to start on 7 February.
It came after the ICC rejected a request from Bangladesh to move their games from India to Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament. Bangladesh had cited safety concerns amid growing tensions between the countries.
Scotland were given the spot courtesy of being the highest-ranked team – in 14th – not already at the event.
Cricket Scotland officials have been working around the clock since Lindblade picked up a call from ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta at the start of last weekend.
There is still a tight turnaround to get all of their players, including seamer Safyaan Sharif who has Pakistani heritage, visas in time to enter India.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been invited, but it is certainly in unique and challenging circumstances,” Lindblade told BBC Stumped.
“We’re all confident at the moment we can get everybody out there.”
Scotland are hoping to bring on board a major sponsor and are optimistic a new playing kit for the tournament will arrive before they leave.
“If we’ve got kits, that’s a bonus. If not, you might see us in our regular Cricket Scotland playing kits,” Lindblade said.
“We’ve got seven days to turn around a sponsor.”
Scotland have effectively inherited Bangladesh’s itinerary for the World Cup and will initially be based in Bengaluru.
They are expected to play warm-up matches against Afghanistan and Namibia on 2 and 4 February at the Board of Control for Cricket in India centre of excellence in nearby Singahalli.
Scotland are scheduled to play West Indies on the opening day of the tournament at Eden Gardens in Kolkata and do not envisage that fixture being pushed back at this stage.
Scotland squad for T20 World Cup: Richie Berrington (captain), Tom Bruce, Matthew Cross (wicketkeeper), Brad Currie, Oliver Davidson, Chris Greaves, Zainullah Ihsan, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Finlay McCreath, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal.
23 hours ago
‘Sympathy with Bangladesh’
A fourth-place finish at last summer’s Europe Qualifier looked to have cost Scotland a place at the 2026 T20 World Cup as the Netherlands and Italy secured the two spots on offer for the region from that event.
Lindblade has already spoken to Cricket Jersey counterpart Sarah Gomersall, given the Channel Islanders might have felt somewhat aggrieved having finished above Scotland in third place at the Europe Qualifier.
Her diplomacy extended to expressing sympathies to Bangladesh’s players who will miss out on the tournament.
Cricket Scotland had waited for the call to come from the ICC out of respect to their counterparts at the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
“We do have sympathy for the Bangladesh players and their fans because you know as cricketers they just want to play the game,” Lindblade said.
“But these are circumstances that are beyond our control. They are matters for the ICC and the BCB to work through. But when it comes to that, absolutely, we’re human beings, so that empathy does come there.
“I’d like to think that it’s not becoming a more divided sport and if it is, that we can see that and we can work together to make sure that that doesn’t happen.”
As an Associate member, Scotland receive approximately £2.7m ($3.8m) from the ICC revenue distribution model.
It is a pittance compared to full members – England receive close to £33m in addition to lucrative broadcast deals.
Participation in the World Cup will provide Scotland with a valuable cash injection – they picked up £203,000 ($250,000) from the T20 World Cup in 2024 – but the late nature of inclusion means a greater outlay as well.
Scotland will take two travelling reserves, something they would not normally do for financial reasons, given the risk of injury to players, and they hope the ICC will cover the cost.
“I think the conversations will happen if there’s anything that we’ve had to unreasonably do,” Lindblade said.
“As any team that qualifies for a World Cup, there are financial benefits with that. So we need to make sure that we make the most of it.”
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) have refuted claims that doctors received benefits from the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), blaming the claim as false and putting the rise in industrial unrest in the sector.
In response to the NLC and TUC’s ultimatum regarding the ongoing nationwide industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Dr. Mannir Bature made this known while speaking to journalists on Monday in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
According to the NMA, CONMESS did not improve in 2014 as claimed by organized labor. Instead, it stated that the salary structure’s implementation had been corrected in accordance with existing approvals and public service standards.
Dr. Mannir Bature Nigerian Medical Association’s national publicity secretary
The organization argued that fixing the problem cannot be confused with upgrading or receiving preferential treatment, and that the action only restored CONMESS to its initial approval.
Read more about JOHESU Telling Nigerians about the impact of the strike on the country’s healthcare system.
The NMA wishes to unambiguously state that CONMESS was not upgraded in any way as was falsely claimed. In spite of widespread public service guidelines and clear approvals, a long-standing error and distortion in the CONMESS framework’s application was corrected.
Context was only reinstated in its proper and approved position by this corrective action. A correction of an anomaly is not regarded as an improvement by every objective, technical, and administrative definition, according to the statement.
The NMA cautioned against portraying the correction as a special treatment for doctors, which would lead to unnecessary interprofessional conflict in a systemic setting where the health sector is dealing with serious issues.
It also expressed concern about the labor unions’ public ultimatums, which it described as being incongruent, and called on the NLC and TUC to be restrained and refrain from spreading false information about sensitive remuneration issues.
The NMA is particularly concerned about the conflicting language and public ultimatums regarding matters that call for thorough investigation, technical understanding, and institutional engagement.
We urge TUC and NLC to use restraint, caution, and responsibility in their public statements, particularly when it comes to sensitive salary structure issues, to avoid misinforming employees or the general public, it continued.
The association urged the Federal Government to continue supporting the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) process as a legitimate and sound forum for addressing issues involving the health sector’s industrial and welfare concerns.
Additionally, it urged the government to prioritize workforce rationalization, which improves frontline clinical services, particularly through the retention and incentivization of doctors and nurses, and advocated structured outsourcing of non-core support services to increase efficiency and service delivery.
The NMA also emphasizes the need for the government to prioritize efficiency, service delivery, and patient outcomes.
The association argued that “more policy attention should be focused on retaining, strengthening, and incentivising frontline clinical workers, particularly doctors and nurses, who are in charge of direct patient care and clinical decision-making,”
