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Three Key Talking Points from the Premier League Weekend

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Three Key Talking Points from the Premier League Weekend

  Chelsea and Manchester City have made the strongest starts to a Premier League season marked by significant changes, while Liverpool and Tottenham have struggled to find their rhythm early on. City sit top, ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa on Monday, after a 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace, while Chelsea edged out Brighton 4-3 to maintain their perfect start under Xabi Alonso. By contrast, Tottenham’s massive outlay on new players is yet to bear any fruit as they remain without a point or even a goal, while Andoni Iraola has only managed two draws in his opening two matches in charge of Liverpool. AFP Sports looks at three talking points from the Premier League weekend: Front three give Chelsea reason to dream Two Premier League games into Alonso’s reign as Chelsea manager, the Blues have seven goals, six points and plenty of reasons for optimism. The acid test of whether Chelsea are truly back to being title contenders comes when they travel to face champions Arsenal next weekend. But the arrival of Alonso on the bench and Morgan Rogers to form a potent front three alongside Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, has transformed a side that finished 10th last season. That failure could ultimately help Chelsea’s chances of a first league title in a decade as they have no European football, while their rivals face the strain of the Champions League. “Chelsea has so much quality on transition moments they have maybe the best offensive line in the league,” said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler. Alonso has already shown an adaptability to maximise the weapons at his disposal. Chelsea had just 26 percent possession against Brighton, the lowest of any league match in Alonso’s managerial career. Yet, they lured the Seagulls on to strike decisively on the counter-attack, epitomised by Pedro’s third goal from a move beginning in the Chelsea area. Spurs ‘can’t buy mentality’ Roberto De Zerbi surveyed the damage from big-spending Tottenham’s dismal start and admitted it is mentality rather than money that will define their season. The Italian’s spending spree has topped 300 million pounds (406 million dollars) ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline, only for Tottenham to lose 3-0 at Brentford in their opening game and 2-0 at home to Newcastle on Saturday. Bottom of the table Tottenham have lost their opening two matches of a league campaign without scoring for the first time since 1974-75. After successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, De Zerbi know the mounting pressure on his players could be a problem. “After two defeats, maybe somebody can think it’s the same story, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it’s not like this,” he said. “It’s the biggest target to find the right mentality. Unfortunately, you can’t buy the mentality in the transfer market.” Liverpool ignore glaring gaps Liverpool could feature a forward line with each player costing in excess of 100 million pounds at Ipswich on Friday, with Bradley Barcola set to join Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in the Reds’ star-studded attack. Isak and Wirtz have so far offered little return on the huge sums paid for them 12 months ago, but each had a hand in a goal each of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Sweden striker tapped home his first goal of the season, while Wirtz’s brilliant assist teed up Victor Munoz to rescue a point in the final 10 minutes. Despite a prolonged search for attacking reinforcements since Mohamed Salah’s departure at the end of last season, it is at the other end that Liverpool still look brittle. Iraola’s reign has begun with two chaotic 2-2 draws that exposed a lack of midfield protection for defensive deficiencies. Both full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong were replaced after a chastening first hour and Iraola may regret not focusing more on strengthening at the back rather than splashing out on another expensive forward. AFP

Abandoned Newborn Baby Rescued from Benue Forest

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Abandoned Newborn Baby Rescued from Benue Forest

  A Good Samaritan has rescued a newborn baby girl who was found abandoned near Ashar Forest in Wuese community, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State. The baby, who was said to have been wrapped up in clothes and kept in a carton by an unknown person, was picked up on Saturday, August 29, 2026, by one Mrs Mbakasev Yisa, with maggots allegedly found around the baby and a foul smell emanating from the carton. An eyewitness and a councillor who identified himself as Terkumbur Mbaukaan told journalists on the phone in Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday, that the baby was in an extremely critical condition when she was rescued and immediately evacuated to Dooshima Clinic in Wuese for medical attention. The councillor narrated that the passerby, Yisa, first discovered the abandoned newborn in the forest and immediately reported the situation to the police outpost situated in the area. He said, “As a councillor representing the area, I visited the scene to personally assess the situation and ascertain the condition of the abandoned child. “So, when the policemen came to the scene, they carried out necessary documentation of the discovery and equally directed that Mrs Yisa take the baby to a medical facility for urgent medical attention. And because the baby’s condition was so critical, the first clinic we approached could not admit the child. “We later took the baby to Dooshima Clinic in Wuese, Konshisha LGA, where she is being treated and fed with glucose and NAN infant formula as medical personnel work to stabilise the infant.” He said tests have been conducted to ensure the baby is healthy. However, she remains under observation at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit after being exposed to harsh external conditions immediately after birth. “I have made a financial donation towards the child’s upkeep and appealed to the medical personnel to ensure that the infant receives continuous and effective treatment. “I am using this opportunity to appeal to individuals, humanitarian organisations, community leaders, government agencies and other people of goodwill to support the baby’s treatment and welfare. “We are managing the situation at our own level as a community. We have even told those police officers attached to the police outpost here in our community not to take the matter to the Divisional Police Office in Tse- Agbaragba yet, because we are following up the matter; we’ll do our best to ensure that the newborn baby gets well. I’m also making concerted efforts to get across to the local government council chairman. He is yet to be informed,” he said. Similarly, the community’s youth leader, Udigi Waya, equally confirmed the rescue of the newborn baby. He lamented over the situation, saying that the baby may have spent approximately three days in the abandoned condition before she was rescued. When contacted, the command’s spokesperson, Peter Aondongu, said he was yet to get such a report. “I have called the DPO of Konshisha local government area, and he told me that he is not aware of such a situation yet. So, I will still call him and get back to the press,” he said. The identity of the mother, the circumstances surrounding the delivery and what led her to the abandonment of the newborn remain unknown as of the time of filing this report.

Kwara PDP, ADC Reject N100m Fee for Political Advertisement

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Kwara PDP, ADC Reject N100m Fee for Political Advertisement

  The Kwara State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress have opposed the new political campaign advertising permit fees introduced by the Kwara State Signage and Advertisement Agency. They described the fees as excessive, unjustifiable and capable of restricting opposition participation in the 2027 elections. The parties’ positions followed a stakeholders’ engagement on political advertising and campaign communications organised by KWASAA in Ilorin, where the agency unveiled a new fee schedule ranging from N2m to N100m for candidates contesting various elective positions. Under the schedule, presidential candidates are expected to pay N100m for campaign advertising permits, while governorship candidates will pay N50m, senatorial candidates N30m, House of Representatives candidates N10m and House of Assembly candidates N2m. In a statement on Sunday, the Kwara PDP Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said the party and its candidates would not submit to charges considered arbitrary, unlawful or unsupported by a valid legal instrument. Adewara said the PDP would comply with legitimate regulations governing lawful, decent and responsible political communication but would resist what he described as an unjustifiable financial burden imposed by the state government. The PDP spokesman said the party recognised KWASAA’s regulatory responsibilities, including the regulation of outdoor advertising structures, issuance of permits and control of posters and political signs. He, however, questioned the legal and administrative basis for the new charges, asking who approved the fees, how they were calculated and what services the agency would provide to justify the millions of naira being demanded. Adewara said, “The existence of regulatory powers does not give public institutions an unlimited licence to impose arbitrary financial burdens on citizens and political candidates.” He further argued that the charges could undermine equal participation in the electoral process, particularly if opposition parties and candidates were unable to afford the fees. The PDP also cited provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing political campaigns and media access, arguing that public institutions should not be used to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate. The party said implementing the policy in its current form could turn political communication into an exclusive preserve of wealthy candidates and the ruling party. “The new KWASA policy, if implemented in its present form, could have the practical effect of turning political communication into an exclusive preserve of the ruling party and this will be fatally unhealthy for our democracy,” he said. Similarly, the Kwara State chapter of the ADC rejected the fees, describing the new charges as an attempt to place a financial barrier on political participation ahead of the 2027 elections. In a separate statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Kabir Basambo, the ADC said the N100m presidential permit fee and other charges amounted to “taxation of democracy.” Basambo said, “This is not regulation. This is taxation of democracy.” The ADC argued that the fees were illegal and unjustifiable, insisting that the agency had not provided a sufficient legal basis for the charges. The party said the policy could effectively make political visibility available only to candidates with deep financial resources, thereby shutting out credible aspirants and reducing elections to what it described as an “auction.” The ADC also accused KWASAA of being used to suppress opposition voices, saying the agency should regulate order and safety rather than restrict political participation. Basambo said the party would challenge the policy through lawful and democratic means, including the courts, if the charges were not withdrawn. The ADC called on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to direct KWASAA to reverse the fees, stressing that political advertising regulation must be fair, lawful and inclusive. The two opposition parties’ objections come as political parties in Kwara intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with campaign activities expected to increase ahead of the commencement of the official electioneering period. KWASAA had said the new campaign permit fees were part of its regulatory framework for political advertising, with the charges applying across the various categories of candidates.

Bandits Kill Eight Farmers, Injure Five in Sokoto Community

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Bandits Kill Eight Farmers, Injure Five in Sokoto Community

  Bandits have attacked Ghandi community in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, killing at least eight farmers and injuring five others in a shooting attack. The attack, which occurred on Sunday afternoon, sent residents into panic as the assailants reportedly stormed the community around 3:00 p.m. The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent. Rufai said the command was aware of the attack, adding that details of the incident were being gathered. According to him, ” Yes, we are aware of the attack, 8 farmers were killed while another five were injured. We will make it public once we are done with the information being gathered on it, ” Rafai added. A local source, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the bandits opened fire on farmers in the community. According to the source, “The bandits came around 3:00 p.m. and started shooting at people. No fewer than eight farmers were killed, while at least five others sustained gunshot injuries.” The source alleged that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the killing of some members of the bandit group by security agencies during recent operations in the area. He said, “We believe this was a retaliatory attack because some members of the group were killed by security personnel in the last few days.” The latest attack has heightened concerns among residents of Ghandi and neighbouring communities, particularly farmers who have continued to face threats from armed groups operating in parts of the state.

Japa: FG Plans 20,000 Annual Medical Admissions, Unveils Six Simulation Centres

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Japa: FG Plans 20,000 Annual Medical Admissions, Unveils Six Simulation Centres

  The Federal Government has announced plans to establish world-class medical simulation centres across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while aiming to increase annual admissions into medical schools to 20,000 within the next three years. The move is part of efforts to expand the country’s healthcare workforce and strengthen practical training for medical and other health professional students amid concerns over the migration of Nigerian-trained healthcare workers. The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this while receiving the report of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Medical Simulation Committee. This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Office of the Minister of Education and signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, Ikharo Attah. Alausa said the proposed centres would provide world-class practical training for medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy and other allied healthcare students. He said, “I would like to thank the members of the committee that has worked so hard and assiduously to get us to this point in which we are now talking about building several simulation centres across the country to provide world-class training for our medical students, dental students, nursing students, pharmacy students and other allied healthcare professionals.” According to the minister, the centres would be established across the six geopolitical zones and would support the Federal Government’s plan to expand Nigeria’s healthcare workforce under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Alausa said the expansion had become necessary following the significant increase in enrolment into health-related programmes. He disclosed that nursing enrolment, which stood at about 38,000 three years ago, had risen to more than 120,000 students across nursing schools in the country. The minister added that annual admission into medical schools had increased from about 5,000 students when Tinubu assumed office to almost 12,000 currently. “Today, I’m happy to report that we’re admitting almost 12,000 students. Our goal in the next three years will be to increase the number of annual medical student enrolment in medical schools to about 20,000,” he said. He added that the number of students admitted into pharmacy and dental schools had also increased. The minister commended the Chairman of the Medical Simulation Committee, Dr Wale Suleiman, and other members for their work in preparing the report and advancing plans for the centres. He said the initiative would help ensure that the increasing number of students entering healthcare professions received adequate practical training. The planned expansion comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over the migration, popularly known as “Japa,” of Nigerian doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals seeking better remuneration, working conditions and career opportunities abroad. The migration of health workers has raised concerns among professional bodies and health-sector stakeholders about its impact on Nigeria’s already strained healthcare system, particularly shortages of skilled personnel in public hospitals. With the proposed simulation centres, the government is seeking to expand training capacity while improving the quality of practical education for a growing pool of health professional students. Alausa described the development as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving education and developing the workforce required to meet Nigeria’s future needs. He said, “President Bola is committed to providing the best and the highest quality of education to every child in this country. “We are seeing it, we are seeing the result now. It’s another manifestation of President Bola’s fervent and benevolent belief in the progress and benefit of the future of Nigeria.”

Benue Varsity Student Arrested for Allegedly Pouring Hot Water on Colleague

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Benue Varsity Student Arrested for Allegedly Pouring Hot Water on Colleague

  The Benue State Police Command has arrested a 500-level student of Fr Moses Adasu University, formerly known as Benue State University, for allegedly attacking a neighbour by pouring hot water on them. The spokesperson for the state command, DSP Peter Aondongu, told journalists on Saturday that an investigation had commenced to unravel the cause of fighting between the two students. He said, “Yes, it happened yesterday, Friday, August 28, 2026. “From the information I have, both students were staying in the same room and had an issue. The suspect allegedly boiled water, added salt and pepper, and poured the mixture on the victim and then locked her inside. “After some time, people became aware of what had happened and were able to intervene and rescue the victim. She was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment, while the suspect was arrested. “I don’t have much information yet about the genesis of the disagreement or what led to the incident, but I can confirm that the incident happened. I also understand that both of them are students of the Benue State University.” Meanwhile, our correspondent learnt that the suspect had attacked a 200-level Political Science student of the same university, identified as Rose, following a disagreement. Narrating what might have transpired between the two female students, the Students’ Union President, Akighirga Vitalis, who led members of his executive to the hospital, said that Rose explained that there was a disagreement with the suspect identified as Felicia, which allegedly escalated into the violent attack. Vitalis said that the duo had been living together before disagreements over personal matters began to strain their relationship. While expressing shock over the condition of the student and condemning the alleged attack, Vitalis described it as “a grave and unacceptable assault on the life and well-being of a fellow student.” He said, “We are deeply concerned about this incident. The Students’ Union will follow this matter closely until justice prevails.” The union president assured all that the union would engage relevant authorities and monitor the investigation, as well as any disciplinary process that may arise within the university. Vitalis said that if the allegations against Felicia are established through due process, the Students’ Union would support the application of appropriate sanctions under the university’s regulations, including expulsion where warranted. “The Students’ Union will not condone violence or any conduct capable of endangering the life of another student,” Vitalis said.  

Diphtheria Outbreak: Katsina Teaching Hospital Runs Out of Bed Space

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Diphtheria Outbreak: Katsina Teaching Hospital Runs Out of Bed Space

  The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has put the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina under mounting pressure, as a surge in suspected and confirmed cases overwhelms the facility’s Children’s Ward. The hospital management, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the facility was receiving a large number of patients referred from other health facilities, stretching its available bed capacity beyond its limits. According to the statement, “The ongoing diphtheria outbreak in Katsina State has placed enormous pressure on the Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina (FTH Katsina), particularly the Children’s Ward. “The hospital is receiving an overwhelming number of suspected and confirmed cases, as patients are being referred to the facility in large numbers. The situation has resulted in severe overcrowding, stretching available beds beyond capacity. “Despite these challenges, FTH Katsina is doing everything within its capacity to provide timely and quality care to affected children. The hospital is making necessary arrangements to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients, even in the absence of sufficient available bed spaces. “Healthcare workers continue to demonstrate commitment and resilience in ensuring that critically ill children receive the care they need while efforts are being made to respond effectively to the increasing patient load.” The management added that necessary arrangements were being made to accommodate and manage the increasing number of patients despite the shortage of available bed spaces. It also commended the resilience and dedication of healthcare workers, who, it said, had continued to provide care to critically ill children amid the growing pressure on the facility. “Healthcare workers continue to demonstrate commitment and resilience in ensuring that critically ill children receive the care they need while efforts are being made to respond effectively to the increasing patient load,” the statement said. The hospital called for stronger coordination among health facilities and other stakeholders involved in the outbreak response, stressing that a concerted effort was needed to effectively manage the increasing patient load and protect affected children. “FTH Katsina remains committed to supporting the response to the outbreak,” the management said, adding that “a coordinated effort among all relevant health facilities and stakeholders is essential to effectively manage the situation and protect the lives of affected children.” The hospital did not disclose the number of diphtheria patients currently admitted or the total number of cases recorded in Katsina State.  

Atiku: We’ll Move Nigerian Youths From Palliatives to Prosperity

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Atiku: We’ll Move Nigerian Youths From Palliatives to Prosperity

  Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has pledged to establish a $100 billion financing programme to support start-ups and entrepreneurs if elected president. Atiku, who made the promise in a statement posted on his X handle on Saturday, said young Nigerians need a government that creates opportunities for them to prosper rather than one that teaches them how to cope with economic hardship. He said the cost-of-living crisis had reduced the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and made it increasingly difficult for young people to access jobs, capital and economic independence. “Nigeria’s young people do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper,” he said. According to him, his administration, if elected, will focus on restoring purchasing power, reducing the cost of living and deliberately expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians. “My commitment is to change that. We will restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including through a $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs,” Atiku stated. The former Vice President said the objective was to move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise and from unemployment to productivity. “Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said. Atiku disclosed that he made the commitment while receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to declare their support for his presidential candidacy. He said he thanked the delegation for their confidence and assured them that Nigeria’s future could not be built through the distribution of poverty. “I reiterated that Nigeria cannot build its future by distributing poverty. We must build an economy that creates jobs, rewards enterprise and gives every young Nigerian a fair chance to succeed,” he said. Atiku, who is seeking the presidency ahead of the 2027 general election, said Nigerians faced a choice between maintaining an economy that he claimed was shrinking opportunities and building one capable of restoring hope, dignity and prosperity. “The choice before us is between continuing with an economy that shrinks opportunities and building one that restores hope, dignity and prosperity. We will make Nigeria affordable again,” he added.  

CNG: Tinubu Focused on 2027 Politics, Not Nigerians’ Suffering — ADC

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CNG: Tinubu Focused on 2027 Politics, Not Nigerians’ Suffering — ADC

  The African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Friday accused President Bola Tinubu of prioritising the 2027 elections over the hardship faced by Nigerians, describing the Federal Government’s renewed push for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transportation as a political gimmick that came three years too late. For Nigerians who have spent three years battling soaring transport fares, food prices and shrinking purchasing power, the party said, the sudden urgency to make transportation cheaper is unlikely to pass for genuine concern. In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the emergency meeting between Tinubu and state governors on reducing transportation costs was more a reaction to political pressure than a genuine response to hardship. “They left the people to suffer for three years, and now that the election approaches they suddenly realise that they could make transportation cheaper,” Abdullahi said. The party questioned why CNG buses were not rapidly deployed when Nigerians first began paying the heavy price of petrol subsidy removal, arguing that the government could have acted much earlier. The ADC said the timing became even more revealing after its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, put targeted subsidies and the cost of living at the centre of the national political debate. “Why did it take Atiku’s subsidy plan for this government to suddenly start running helter-skelter and to realise the need to bring down the cost of transportation?” Abdullahi asked. The opposition party maintained that the latest intervention showed the administration had options for cushioning the economic pain all along but chose not to deploy them until its electoral interests came under pressure. “No doubt, if these interventions are possible now, they were possible. The difference is that then, President Tinubu did not think it was necessary to support suffering citizens until now when he needs their votes,” the ADC said. It added that Nigerians could tell the difference between a government responding to their suffering and one responding to the prospect of electoral defeat. “A president who truly cares would not wait for three years and an approaching election before treating the cost of transportation as an emergency,” the party said. The ADC also accused the administration of failing to address insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living, saying the 2027 election had exposed the political consequences of those failures. “One thing is clear, President Tinubu is not suddenly responding to the suffering of Nigerians. He is responding to ADC and Atiku; he is responding to the impending reality of the 2027 election,” the party said.

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