In a significant move, the Northern States Governors’ Forum, comprising the governors of the 19 Northern states, has officially endorsed the establishment of state police.
The endorsement was formalized in a communique released at the conclusion of their joint meeting on Saturday at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna.
The governors articulated their support for state police as a crucial step towards decentralizing security management and more effectively confronting prevailing security issues.
Furthermore, the forum called upon the National Assembly to accelerate the legislative process for enacting the necessary framework for state police.
“We reiterated our support for the creation of the State Police and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off,” said Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, the Chairman of the Forum and Gombe Governor.
Persecondnews recalls that the North has been plagued by various security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.
The governors acknowledged the critical role of non-partisan cooperation, collaboration, and peer review in effectively addressing these challenges.
It stated: “After exhaustive deliberations on matters of regional interest, particularly security, the Forum released the following communique.
“The forum resolved to support the creation of state police and expedite action on the legal framework
“Set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on joint borders
Increase support for federal security forces; Strengthen local initiatives to combat security challenges.”
The governors also commended President Bola Tinubu for his sustained commitment to addressing security challenges and infrastructural deficits in Northern Nigeria.
Loughborough Lightning regained top spot in the Netball Super League with an assured 71-59 win at home to second-bottom Leeds Rhinos.
Vic Burgess’ side are aiming to clinch a third consecutive title and looked to be warming to the task in this fifth straight victory.
Just one point separated the two sides going into the final five minutes of the second quarter before Lightning turned the screw in the ‘super shot’ period, outscoring Rhinos by nine points to two.
They moved further ahead after the break, ending the third quarter leading 54-39 at the Sir David Wallace Arena.
And while the visitors worked hard to reduce that deficit in the closing stages, Lightning always looked capable of capitalising on their greater shooting accuracy.
They finished with an 86% success rate, compared with Rhinos’ 82%, landing six more goals (46-43) and three more in the ‘super shot’ period (11-8).
The three points mean Lightning leapfrog former leaders London Pulse, who will be looking to wipe out the one-point deficit when they play their game in hand at fourth-placed London Mavericks on Sunday.
Ben Lumley
On Friday, Cardiff Dragons claimed their first win of the Netball Super League season as they beat Birmingham Panthers on Friday.
Having started the campaign with seven consecutive losses, the Dragons overcame a narrow half-time deficit to secure a 61-57 victory at the Skydome Arena.
The Panthers led 34-32 at midway point and were still a point up at the end of the third quarter.
It was level at 57-57 with five minutes remaining but the Dragons edged ahead through goal attack Phillipa Yarranton and she added a super shot to extend the lead.
Goal shooter Georgia Rowe, who top-scored for the Dragons with 39 goals, wrapped up the win for the Super League’s last-place side.
The Panthers had a marginally better shooting success rate, 86% to the Dragons’ 85%, with Sigi Burger scoring 46 goals, but were outshot 67 to 55 by the visitors.
Fixtures and results
Friday, 9 May
Birmingham Panthers 57-61 Cardiff Dragons
Saturday, 10 May
Loughborough Lightning 71-59 Leeds Rhinos – watch the full match back on BBC iPlayer
Southampton fans have had precious few moments to be happy about this season as they slumped to a pitiful relegation a full fortnight before Easter.
But their class of 2025 have at least avoided becoming an addition to a pub quiz question after moving past Derby County’s record Premier League low total of 11 points from 2007-08.
Southampton may have been up against it at the end of the 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City but held on to move to 12 points for the season.
Just generationally poor, instead of all-timers.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, no stranger to a relegation, was quiet for most of the game as Pep Guardiola’s side failed to move out of first gear to worry him.
But as the clock ticked towards added time he was called into action, tipping away a header from Ruben Dias and then beaten by Omar Marmoush’s dipping strike which bounced off the crossbar.
Saints marked the draw with a message to Derby on social media, saying “Sorry if we got your hopes up”.
And Ramsdale added: “Not one person outside our dressing room thought we could do anything today and rightly so. People thought we would get zero points for the rest of the season, it was down to us.
“Everyone knows it’s been a difficult season for us. The sun was shining, Man City threw everything at us. That one was for the fans.
“We’re not happy at all with how the season has gone but we are definitely happy with the fact we have managed to avoid that record.
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Not that City defender Dias was impressed.
“It’s frustrating,” he said. “In a moment like this, every point matters – and it is frustrating to play against a team like this.
Southampton FC
‘What a bunch of losers’
You can rely on the Premier League to bring you back to earth with a bump.
And speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 phone-in after the game, Premier League winner Chris Sutton was not impressed with the Saints’ celebrations.
He said: “I don’t mind the fans celebrating because they haven’t had much to celebrate, but the players on the full-time whistle? That is embarrassing, celebrating being the second-worst Premier League team of all time with 12 measly points. How low is your bar?
“Is it something to celebrate being the second-worst team? Watching players punch the air and celebrate, that is embarrassing. It is absolute amateur hour.
“It has been a disastrous season. If I am a Southampton fan I am excited, but if I am seeing my players celebrating I would be thinking ‘heaven help us for next season’. What a bunch of losers.”
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Interim manager Simon Rusk – Saints’ third boss of a sorry campaign – lost his last game as a full-time manager 2-1 at home to Barnet.
It’s a long way from the National League to shutting out Erling Haaland and Co, and Rusk believes the point against Guardiola could stand the Saints in good stead back in the Championship.
They won at Wembley in the play-off final last season and will be among the favourites to return in another year – despite their frugal top-flight points tally.
Rusk said: “I understood the importance of that record, but we were focusing on performances, improvement and environment.
“We were fighting for an immense amount of pride.
“We wanted to make it clear that we were aspiring to finish the season as strong as possible. We delivered that.
“With seven games to go I was confident we could take care of this points issue and that’s what happened.
“On day one of this job I spoke about moments in football. We are not getting carried away, we know it’s been a difficult year but hopefully the supporters go home really happy.”
Southampton fans have had precious few moments to be happy about this season as they slumped to a pitiful relegation a full fortnight before Easter.
But their class of 2025 have at least avoided becoming an addition to a pub quiz question after moving past Derby County’s record Premier League low total of 11 points.
Southampton may have been up against it at the end of the 0-0 draw at home to Manchester City but held on to move to 12 points for the season.
Just generationally poor, instead of all-timers.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, no stranger to a relegation, was quiet for most of the game as Pep Guardiola’s side failed to move out of first gear to worry him.
But as the clock ticked towards added time he was called into action, tipping away a header from Ruben Dias and then beaten by Omar Marmoush’s dipping strike which bounced off the crossbar.
Saints marked the draw with a message to Derby on social media, saying “Sorry if we got your hopes up”.
And Ramsdale added: “Not one person outside our dressing room thought we could do anything today and rightly so. People thought we would get zero points for the rest of the season, it was down to us.
“Everyone knows it’s been a difficult season for us. The sun was shining, Man City threw everything at us. That one was for the fans.
“We’re not happy at all with how the season has gone but we are definitely happy with the fact we have managed to avoid that record.
Southampton FC
‘What a bunch of losers’
You can rely on the Premier League to bring you back to earth with a bump.
And speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s 606 phone-in after the game, Premier League winner Chris Sutton was not impressed with the Saints’ celebrations.
He said: “I don’t mind the fans celebrating because they haven’t had much to celebrate, but the players on the full-time whistle? That is embarrassing, celebrating being the second-worst Premier League team of all time with 12 measly points. How low is your bar?
“Is it something to celebrate being the second-worst team? Watching players punch the air and celebrate, that is embarrassing. It is absolute amateur hour.
Interim manager Simon Rusk – Saints’ third boss of a sorry campaign – lost his last game as a full-time manager 2-1 at home to Barnet.
It’s a long way from the National League to shutting out Erling Haaland and Co, and Rusk believes the point against Guardiola could stand the Saints in good stead back in the Championship.
They won at Wembley in the play-off final last season and will be among the favourites to return in another year – despite their frugal top-flight points tally.
Rusk said: “I understood the importance of that record, but we were focusing on performances, improvement and environment.
“We were fighting for an immense amount of pride.
“We wanted to make it clear that we were aspiring to finish the season as strong as possible. We delivered that.
“With seven games to go I was confident we could take care of this points issue and that’s what happened.
“On day one of this job I spoke about moments in football. We are not getting carried away, we know it’s been a difficult year but hopefully the supporters go home really happy.”
For the first time in his career, the 34-year-old striker hit double figures for Premier League goals in a single season with his penalty in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Wolves.
Shining for Brighton in the twilight of his career, Welbeck’s latest contribution helped ensure the Seagulls remain firmly in the fight to secure European football with just two games remaining.
“It is a good milestone to have – and I feel like it could have been more,” said Welbeck, who scored on his Premier League debut for Manchester United as a 17-year-old in November 2008.
“I’m looking forward to improving. We have two more games left and hopefully I’ll get some more [goals].”
Much of the former Manchester United, Arsenal and Watford player’s career has been disrupted by persistent injury issues, at least prior to his arrival on the south coast.
But he has now made as many as 29 appearances in three consecutive Premier League seasons for the first time in his career, helping him to at last score 10 goals in a campaign.
He is one goal away from matching his most productive season across all competitions, scoring 12 times for Manchester United in 2011-12.
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said: “First of all I need to thank the medical department that Danny is on the pitch. Danny has never had so many minutes for us as he has had in this season.
“Danny is a special character, an unbelievable role model for everyone, especially the younger players, both on the pitch and on the side.
The importance of Welbeck’s goals are clear too.
Each of the former England international’s past nine goals in the competition have either put his side ahead (seven) or drawn them level (two).
They are vital interventions which have helped Brighton compete in the race for a lucrative European place, after the club had its first ever taste of football on that stage in last season’s Europa League.
More of the same will be required in Brighton’s final two games, against champions Liverpool and Europa League finalists Tottenham.
But even beyond that, Hurzeler hopes that Welbeck, who will turn 35 in November, will still continue to deliver at the top level.
“I hope [he can carry on], but I can’t see into to the future, so we will have to wait and see,” Hurzeler said.
Getty Images
As Welbeck achieved a milestone in his 17th season, there was an emotional first for one of his team-mates.
German 20-year-old Brajan Gruda scored his first goal for the club since joining in a £25m deal from Bundesliga side Mainz last August.
Coming on as a 59th-minute substitute for his 23rd appearance in all competitions, the midfielder sank to the ground and covered his face as his team-mates gathered to celebrate with him.
“It is always difficult when a German makes a compliment to a German,” Hurzeler joked.
“But I had to give him one because he’s sacrificed a lot and he has suffered a lot.
“He’s training hard and today he made himself a big presence. We are all happy for him.”
Gruda, speaking to Sky Sports, said: “It was a hard season for me and I’m really happy to score my first goal. I’m happy the guys come to me and celebrated with me.
EXCLUSIVE: Actor Danny Dyer is opening up about his time on much loved Soap, Eastenders, after playing Mick Carter for nine years from 2013 to then departing in 2022
Danny Dyer is opening up about his time on much loved soap Eastenders(Image: Brett Cove/Shutterstock)
Danny Dyer has slammed EastEnders in a foul-mouthed tirade, saying the soap is now “s***”. Speaking at a charity event on Friday night, Danny gave a no holds barred account of his time on the show, recalling how he’d often be drunk on set, and take Valium and diazepam before scenes.
He also told how stars had the “hump” when he joined as pub landlord Mick Carter in 2013 and made things “tricky”. Asked what he thought of the BBC show since he left, he said: “S*** now though, ain’t it,” he shrugged. “Serves them right.”
He took the part at a low point in his career after his Human Traffic and The Football Factory success had waned and with bailiffs at his door.
Danny played Mick Carter on EastEnders for nine years(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Dad-of-three Danny, 47, claims he didn’t get a warm welcome on Albert Square. “I will be honest, it is a very clicky place to work,” he said. “We took the pub over from Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie. Kat and Alfie had an 11 year run and then they want to get rid of them.
“So they brought us in and they had the hump. That was getting tricky. I was like ‘What’s the matter with these people, I’ve not made this call’. So there was a lot of people blanking us when we turned up.”
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Whilst he looks back fondly on the first three years of working on the show, he said it went downhill from there. “I really cherish those first three years,: he recalled, “Then a new producer came in and sacked every f***er. It is a very ruthless job. I learned a lot. Nine years was enough for me.”
Talking at the Paul Strank Charitable Trust event in Wimbledon, south London – where he donated thousands of pounds of his own money – Danny opened up about the emotional rollercoaster and how he struggled with the lack of downtime from draining scenes, saying there wasn’t enough “duty of care”.
Danny spoke at the Paul Strank Charitable Trust event in Wimbledon(Image: Brett Cove/Shutterstock)
“In a film you properly cry and go to a dark place,’ he said. “You have time to recover. But on soap, you ain’t. On a soap, it f**** a lot of people’s heads up. I tell you most people in soap are off their nut. You meet them on the street and they’re f***ing lunatics, I’m telling you.
“If someone dies in your family, they won’t even let you go to a f***ing funeral because it is such a machine there wasn’t much duty of care there.”
Danny, who has suffered from drink and drug abuse in the past – going to rehab in 2017 – said he would down pints on set, before bosses stepped in.
“When I first arrived the pints were reaI,” he recalled. “I was slipping and sliding around having a few lagers and they found out, so they started to put TCP in the f***ing beer!
“I was off my nut for a lot of that job, I’ve got to say. I was on a lot of valium and diazepam, that is why. Still got that f***ing job done somehow.”
Danny admitted that the producer of the show was not keen on a family unit, hence Mick Carter’s departure(Image: BBC/KieronMcCarron)
Danny has seen a career resurgence since EastEnders gave him a chance, landing his first ever BAFTA nomination for his role in Sky comedy Mr Bigstuff.
He’s also received rave reviews playing Freddie Jones in the television adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s novel Rivals for Disney. He concedes he’s got EastEnders to thank for it.
“I was a snobby f***er going I will never go in EastEnders looking down my nose at it,” he said. “It saved my f***ing career. I’d be f***ed without it.”
Describing Rivals as his most lucrative job so far in his career, he revealed how daughter Dani’s appearance on Love Island gave him an expected boost in his pay packet.
“My wages tripled when my daughter won Love Island,” he told. “Honestly, I was the father of the f***ing year and I’d done f*** all. I thought, what a touch!”
Currently filming the second series of racy Rivals, Danny has promised to flash more flesh for his return. “I do think I will get my c*** out in the second series!” he teased.
Danny Dyer stars in Disney+ hit show Rivals
Enjoying his current purple patch, Danny says he’s always had faith in his ability despite various knockbacks in his career. “I’ve always believed I had something about me and that I can act.
“It is just a matter of never giving up, really. Especially in our world where you get used to a lot of rejection. I’ve never faded into the shadows and always thought ‘No, f**k it, I want to do something, I want to get out the council estate and earn a few quid’.”
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Looking ahead to his next role, Danny says he wants to challenge himself and do something “completely left field”
