PEN TO THE WORLD

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has mourned the passing of renowned mathematician and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Grace Alele-Williams. The governor, in a statement, described Prof. Alele-Williams as an Amazon, who tread where others dreaded, hailing her unmatched devotion to national development. According to him, “It is with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of the passing of renowned academic and administrator, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams.  The governor said Prof. Alele-Williams was a thoroughbred academician who throughout her life left an indelible mark of dutiful service, hard work, diligence and determination. He said, “As the first female Nigerian to earn a doctorate degree in mathematics, Prof. Alele-Williams was a woman of many firsts. She shattered the glass ceiling and didn’t look back thereafter.  “When she became the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) – at the time the first ever female

The Abia State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has finally zoned its 2023 governorship ticket  to Abia North and Abia Central senatorial districts. Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Fabian Nwankwo disclosed this Saturday, during a press briefing at the party secretariat Umuahia. Details later.... Source: VANGUARD

Snoop Dogg and popular by band BTS are officially working on a collaboration. The rapper made this know at during the American Song Contest red carpet. “The BTS experience you keep talking about. I’m going to let them tell you about it. It’s official like a referee with a whistle. I love that entertainment world. It’s good music. It’s [a] vibe. I make good music. They make good music. And we end up doing this. This is what it’s always about, bringing our worlds together.” Snoop Dogg had in recent times talked in a podcast ‘Mogul Talk’ about how he had gotten a request from BTS to work with them. Speaking further he also explained while on the  show,  that he had no understanding of how prominent the K-pop group was, and was enlightened by his nephew who is familiar about the Korean band. BTS will make the list of Asian singer the Snoop has collaborated with in the past, having worked with Girls Generation and 2NE1. Source: The Guardian

Actor, John Okafor, aka Mr Ibu, has said he is currently in the hospital after being poisoned for the third time in about three years. Speaking with Saturday Beats from his hospital bed, Ibu said, “I just got poisoned again. It seems my enemies are using me to rehearse (their powers). This time, I wasn’t poisoned in the village. I was poisoned in Abuja last week at an entertainment event. I really cannot explain how I was poisoned because it was a gathering of people, though it was not a big event.” Though he sounded weak, the actor maintained that he was getting better. He said, “I am recuperating, although I have neither worked out nor driven since I got ill. However, I intend to take a walk this (Friday) evening, because I am hopeful that I would get better. I am eating well now, and I’m prepared to go back on set any moment from now.” Mr Ibu also bashed those soliciting for funds on his behalf without his consent. He said, “Some people have sold me. They have not heard

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed Senator Ademola Adeleke as the People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the July 16 governorship election in Osun State. Adeleke was named as the PDP candidate in the final list of gubernatorial candidates released by INEC on Friday. With this development, the controversy over who is the authentic PDP candidate is over. Prince Dotun Babayemi had challenged Adeleke for the ticket. INEC Also confirmed the incumbent state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola as the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC). Other candidates are Omigbodun Oyegoke, Social Democratic Party, (SDP), Abede Adetona Samuel, National Rescue Mission, (NRM), Oyelekan Akingbade, Labor Party) (LP), Adebayo Adeolu Elisha, Action People’s Party, (APP), Awoyemi Oluwatayo, Allied People’s Movement, (APM) and Awojide Peter Segun, African Action Congress. Other are Accord – Akande Victor Babalola, ZLP (Zenith Labour Party) – Adesuyi John Olufemi

President Muhammadu Buhari has hosted the founding fathers of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former Lagos State governor Bola Tinubu, to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the get-together was to show Buhari’s appreciation to the critical stakeholders for their continued support, understanding, and cooperation with his administration. It was also meant to show appreciation to the founding fathers for keeping faith in the goals and ideals of the ruling party for national salvation. The engagement was also in furtherance of genuine efforts by the Buhari administration aimed at ensuring a rancour free and successful National Convention of the party, slated for March 26. Others in attendance included the first Interim Chairman of Party, Chief Bisi Akande, Dr Ogbomnaya Onu, Rochas Okorocha, Ibrahim Shekarau and Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko. Others are Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Aminu Masari

Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, will lead the Super Eagles attack against Ghana in their 2023 World Cup qualifier on Friday,  The PUNCH  has learnt. This is as in-form Al-Hilal FC striker, Odion Ighalo, is expected to start from the bench in the match. Other players who made the starting list for the game are Francis Uzoho, Ola Aina, Zaidu Sanusi, Innocent Bonke, Leon Balogun, Williams Troost Ekong, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Joseph Aribo, and Moses Simon. The PUNCH had reported that fireworks are expected on Friday  (today)  as Ghana host their arch-rivals Nigeria in one of the most anticipated matches of the first leg of the 2022 World Cup playoffs in Kumasi. This is as data obtained by  The PUNCH  via CAF website showed that Ghana have the head-to-head advantage having won 25 of their 56 previous clashes with 19 ending in draws. The Super Eagles won 12 games of their previous encounters against the Black Stars. The first encounter was on  October 20, 1951,

Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo, has vowed to walk barefoot from his nation’s capital, Accra to Lagos, if the Super Eagles of Nigeria beat the Black Stars on Friday. The Super Eagles and Black Stars are set to play at the Baba Yara Stadium the first leg of their World Cup qualifiers. The second leg will be played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday. On his Instagram page, Dumelo said, “There’s no way Nigeria will win today’s match. If they do, I, John Setor Dumelo, will walk barefoot from Accra to Lagos tomorrow morning with my ginger on my head. Super Eagles my foot.” Source: PUNCH