Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has submitted that Nigerian Muslims observed the 2024 Ramadan fast in a season of tough economic conditions.

Atiku made the observation in his Eid-el-fitr greetings, in which he congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting.

Despite the tough conditions, he pointed out that the forbearance with which Nigerian Muslims adopted it is a principle that the noble Prophet Muhammed (SAW) enjoins everyone to live by at all times.

He called on those in positions of authority to show compassion to the people.

Atiku also prayed that the supplications of every believing Muslim and everyone else shall be answered by the Almighty Allah and wishes Nigerians a blessed Eid-el-fitr holiday.

The former Vice President, in a press statement by his office on Tuesday, said that lessons of the Ramadan fasting should remain abiding, even when the holy month has passed.

“For many Nigerians who observed the mandatory Ramadan fasting this year, the reality of the harsh economic environment in the country put many families and individuals under intense pressure.

“But in the face of this daunting challenge, many people pulled through out of seeking piety.

“The completion of Ramadan should cause a reflection on those in positions of authority to show more compassion to the people.

“The requirement of forbearance and compassion between the leaders and the people are the lessons to be learnt about this year’s Ramadan, in accordance with the teachings of noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW,)” Atiku said.

[NaijaNews]

The management of Air Peace Airlines, on Tuesday, has dismissed a viral video purportedly showing that the airlines abandoned its passenger at Gatwick Airport in London because its London-Lagos flight was overbooked on Monday.

In a press statement made available to LEADERSHIP, the airlines said the narration was false as the said passenger came late after check-in phase was already concluded and the counter closed.

Air Peace further stated that Gatwick Airport operated slot timings allocated to each of the airlines operating out of the airport.

“Our attention has been drawn to a video circulating on social media that Air Peace not only abandoned their passengers at Gatwick Airport, but closed their counter before closing time because the aircraft was overbooked on our London-Lagos flight on Monday, April 8, 2024.

“This video recording was a deliberate and malicious attempt to tarnish the image of Air Peace. In the video, a number of falsehoods were claimed, specifically: Firstly, we closed our counter before time.

“Secondly, we overbooked our flight and our aircraft was full, hence we quickly closed the door and departed for Lagos. Thirdly, take off time was supposed to be 12 noon.

“We want to state categorically that the passenger, who the narrator escorted to the airport, came very late after check-in phase was already concluded and the counter had closed.

“Gatwick Airport operates by slot timings allocated to each of the airlines operating out of this airport. The check-in operations of airlines are slot-based, and airlines take turns based on their approved times.

“Once your slot timing is up, you must vacate the counters for the next airline’s utilization. The check-in process ends at 09:00am, as advised in the Terms and Conditions section of our e-ticket and website, and the counter was vacated by Air Peace in accordance with our slot allocation at 09:55am.”

The airlines, however, explained that in order for passengers not to miss their flights, messages about flight departure are sent intermittently.

The airlines further stated that it will continue doing its best to meet the needs of all its passengers.

“To ensure passengers do not miss their flights, we send them multiple messages at different times before their flight – 24hrs, 14hrs and 6hrs before flight departure.

“Departure for this flight was scheduled for 11:10am, so all processes needed to adhere to this time.

“It was also claimed that we overbooked our flight. The UK Civil Aviation Authority and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority can attest to the number of passengers on our manifest for the said flight. The aircraft left Gatwick with some seats unoccupied, so no overbooking took place.

“Gatwick Airport has CCTV coverage showing the time the passenger arrived at the airport/Air Peace counter and the time the maker of this video got to the airport. The late arriving passenger duly paid the no show fee, was booked to travel on a subsequent flight, and therefore the issue was resolved at the airport. It is disappointing that a different version of what transpired has been circulating.

“Air Peace will continue to do its best to meet the needs of our passengers, but we also require passengers to work with us to ensure they can travel to their destinations by adhering to specified times,” the airlines stated.

[Leadership]

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has announced the appointment of match officials for football events of the 2024 Olympic Games.

FIFA listed 12 match officials from Africa with none from Nigeria making the cut.

The African referees for the tournament include Beida Dahane from Mauritania, Ismail Mahmood Ali from Sudan and Karboubi Bouchra from Morocco.

Meanwhile, assistant referees from Africa include Ahmed Liban Abdoulrazack from Djibouti, Chikotesha Diana from Zambia, Jermouni Fatiha from Morocco, Noupue Elvis from Cameroon, Santos Jerson Emiliano Dos from Angola and Yiembe Stephen from Kenya.

In the video match officials category, Ashour Mahmoud from Egypt and Benbraham Lahlou from Algeria will were selected.

Additionally, Nabadda Shamirah from Uganda will provide support as part of the match officials.

[DailyPost]

Ivory Coast and Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, has lauded Nigerian international Victor Osimhen for his stunning goal during Napoli’s recent clash against Monza.

Osimhen’s goal, a remarkable header likened to a basketball jump shot, opened the scoring in Napoli’s 4-2 victory.

The goal captured the attention of the football world and earned him the nickname “Osi-Air” for his aerial prowess.

Despite the injury he sustained while executing the extraordinary goal, Drogba expressed admiration for the young striker’s performance,

Commenting on the goal, the former striker was quoted by The Napolista to have admitted that he wouldn’t have attempted such a feat during his playing days.

“I saw Victor score that goal against Monza. Oh God! He got hurt, I thought. I wouldn’t have gone for that ball, it’s crazy. An absurd goal!,” he said.

Osimhen is reported to have jumped 2.23 meters, although this fell short of his previous record-setting leap of 2.58 meters during Napoli’s win over Spezia, according to Sky’s Studios via The Napolista.

In the earlier match against Spezia, Osimhen recorded a staggering 71cm leap, reaching a height of 8.47 feet (2.58 meters) – higher than the crossbar (8 feet) – before heading the ball past Spezia goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski

[DailyTrust]

Fire has reportedly gutted the popular Dosunmu Market in Lagos Island.

An X user, who shared a video from the scene, said the fire was due to a generator explosion on Tuesday.

“Just in guys, Eko Idumota (Dosunmu) Market on fire due to generator explosion, and no firefighters in sight yet.

“The fire keeps going up. People are running for safety”.

However, the Nation observed firefighters were not in sight in the recorded video.

Authorities have also not commented on the incident.

Details shortly…

[TheNation]

The Otun Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Abimbola Ajibola, on Tuesday, declared that the Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, is still ill and not physically fit to rule at the moment.

The PUNCH reports that the Olubadan stool became vacant after the demise of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, who reigned for two years and died at the age of 81.

Oba Ajibola, who addressed newsmen at his Sanyo private residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, said, “What is in need for hurry? Someone (Olakulehin) we have not seen. He has not spoken with us. He has not spoken with Ibadan people.

“I am his second in command, I’m his lieutenant. He has not called me to say, ‘My Otun, I’m back. So, tell your people. And when are you seeing me?’ They are just forcing him because of their own selfish interest.”

While speaking on the meeting held at the private residence of Chief Bode Amoo at Agodi Government Reserved Area in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, Oba Ajibola said, “They said we called a meeting and we have endorsed him (Olakulehin). I’m not part of that. I’ve told them my mind that I won’t be part of that illegality. We know Baba Olakulehin is the next Olubadan, but let us allow him to get well.

“Has anybody seen him since last Friday? Those who went there after Friday were unable to see him. They are forcing this man. We should allow him to get well.”

Details later…

[Punch]

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to unite and rededicate themselves to the duty of building the country.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message, Tinubu congratulated Muslims in the country for completing the Ramadan fasting.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, said Tinubu prayed that the blessings of the festival remain with the country.

“The president greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah,” the statement reads.

“As he emphasised during an iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, President Tinubu appeals to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation, stating: “We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire”.

The Eid-el-Fidr celebration will take place on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the federal government extended the Eid-el-Fitr public holidays to Thursday in addition to Tuesday and Wednesday earlier declared on April 7 for the festivity.

[TheCable]