Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken the oath as Zimbabwe’s president in front of a stadium crowd after  a divisive election , as US observers of the vote questioned the country’s democratic credentials. The constitutional court confirmed Mnangagwa as president in a ruling released on Friday,  dismissing a challenge by the  opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa , who he defeated in the 30 July ballot. Thousands of people, some bussed in from outside the capital, joined foreign leaders at Harare’s national stadium on Sunday for the inauguration of Mnangagwa, who narrowly secured the 50% of the vote he needed to avoid a runoff against Chamisa. He took the oath before the country’s chief justice, Luke Malaba, whotogether with eight other constitutional court judges had dismissed Chamisa’s petition. The election was seen as a significant step toward shedding the reputation  Zimbabwe  gained under Mnangagwa’s predecessor Robert Mugabe, and securing international donor...

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, presidential aspirants under the different political parties have reeled out some of the tactics they plan to employ to unseat the incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari. In separate interviews with our correspondents during the week, the aspirants said contrary to the belief that only the big parties stand a better chance of winning the election, they were in the race to win, adding that Nigerians were tired of the big players in the country’s political space. A presidential aspirant under the Young Progressive Party and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, said the party would work with others and persuade Nigerians to vote  out Buhari in 2019. He said, “I am in the race for the presidency based on a vision I have for my country, which is one of nation-building to create a united country that works for all of us. I want to provide leadership that is beyond mere politics, establish an educational ...

Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has explained the circumstances surrounding the absences of some key players in the squad that will take on Seychelles in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Gernot Rohr Speaking to the press in Lagos yesterday, Rohr said Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi asked to be excused because he was just recovering from an injury that had kept him out of his club squad until recently. “I considered his excuse and the long journey he has to make from China. He needs to focus on his fitness in order to recover fully for club and country. “In the case of Shehu Abdullahi, he is celebrating Salah. He is not ready for the match, while Tyrone Ebuehi is recovering from an injury as well.” Rohr said Victor Moses called him to explain he wanted to concentrate on his club and have more time for his family. “Moses has a new coach who brought a new system. So he needs to work to adapt to new formation. I just hope his excuse is not a definitive retirement fr...

Senator representing Kaduna central,Shehu Sani, has declared support for Buhari's re-election bid in 2019. According to TheCable, an online newspaper, Shehu Sani who visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina state on Thursday said they spoke about the need for the party to be united. “I am also here to fully assure him of the support of my constituency, Kaduna central, to his aspiration for the second term,” he said. “I’m also here to assure him of my own wholehearted support to the success of his administration and his return to office for the second term. “Those were the basic issues that we discussed with him and other issues that border on the need to strengthen our party; the need to end all internal strife and also the need to put heads, hearts and hands together for the success of his administration and also for the success of the party.” Sani said his decision to remain in the All Progressives Congress (APC) was because of the intervention of Buhari ...

Abuja — The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (TWFA), a non-profit organisation on health issues founded by the Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, has expressed worry over the poor level of attention and awareness on cancer in Nigeria despite the high number of cancer causing deaths recorded yearly in the country. The CEO, TWFA, Mrs. Amy Oyekunle, at the Nigeria Cancer Alliance Meeting in Abuja, said that the poor attention is a leading cause of cancer deaths. Oyekumle advocated that Nigeria needs to urgently give cancer the attention it deserves, adding that the needed attention will boost awareness and information on cancer, thereby reducing cases of cancer. "According to World Health Organisation (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world globally. "In Nigeria, the statistics is very bad. 72,000 people die from cancer in Nigeria every year. Also, many people present their cancer at a very late stage, some of these things can be prevent...

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was on Friday, August 24, arrested by the police in London - The Frenchman was stopped at 2.20am in Gloucester Place close to Baker street - He spent hours in police custody and will appear in court on September 11 after being charged with drink driving France and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has been charged with drink-driving after being stopped by police in west London on Friday, August 24. The 31-year-old World Cup winner spent seven hours in custody at Charing Cross police station before he was released on bail according to the report by UK Sun. Hugo Lloris was arrested by the police in London at 2am after failing a roadside breathalyser test and will appear at Westminster magistrates' court on September 11. He was later taken to the station where his mug shot, fingerprints, and a DNA swab were taken before he was banged up in a cell. After winning their first two Premier League games this season, Tottenham are preparing for ...

South African police on Thursday said they had boarded a Russian-registered cargo ship allegedly carrying illegal weapons and explosives en route to Lagos, Nigeria. The vessel, named Lada, had reportedly left Madagascar before stopping at Ngqura port outside the eastern city of Port Elizabeth, where it was detained after a security check on Sunday. We are aware that she has dangerous cargo — explosives and weapons — on board,” Olwethu Mdabula, spokeswoman for the Transnet state transport company told AFP. She declined to give further details. Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, spokesman for the Hawks police investigative unit, confirmed to AFP that the vessel was carrying weapons. “This is a very, very sensitive matter. It is receiving attention,” he said. Local reports said police had searched the vessel after an anonymous tip-off and found weapons and explosives worth about $3.5 million in 20 containers on board.