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APGA Chieftain Warns Soludo Against Destabilizing Party Amid Leadership Dispute

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The founder and first National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has called on Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, to leave the party quietly if he wishes, instead of attempting to dismantle it.

Okorie alleges that Soludo, who was elected as Governor of Anambra State on APGA’s platform, has a plan to undermine the party.

He claims Soludo has vowed not to acknowledge or cooperate with Edozie Njoku, recognized as APGA’s National Chairman by the Supreme Court.

In a press briefing in Abuja, Okorie accused Soludo of backing factions within the party, particularly one led by Victor Oyeh, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Njoku.

This decision, delivered on March 24, 2023, has been upheld by subsequent judgments and acknowledged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Okorie contends that Soludo is working to reverse these legal victories, recently claiming at a public event that he would influence the Supreme Court to retract its decision and press INEC to revoke Njoku’s recognition.

Governor Soludo has assured his close allies and the APGA faction supporting him that he has President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s backing to reverse the Supreme Court’s judgment in favor of Chief Njoku,” Okorie stated.

Okorie also revealed that Soludo boasted of his determination to prevent Njoku from remaining as National Chairman, threatening to resign from APGA and dissolve the party if he failed.

In response, Okorie reminded Soludo that APGA’s establishment 22 years ago was beyond any single individual’s influence.

He praised Njoku for his mature and inclusive approach following the court victories, urging unity within the party.

Okorie expressed confidence that President Tinubu, a committed democrat, would not support any attempt to undermine APGA’s legal standing. He called on Soludo to reconsider his actions, emphasizing the importance of preserving the party’s integrity.

Okorie stated, “Professor Soludo had boasted to me directly that he would use everything within his powers as the governor of Anambra State, to ensure that Chief Edozie Njoku would never be the National Chairman of APGA.

“He vowed that if for any reason he failed to stop Njoku from becoming National Chairman, he would resign from APGA within 24 hours and that APGA would cease to exist as a political party.

“At that point, I took strong exception to his boast. I told him that since he was not God who made APGA possible 22 years ago when it was registered by INEC as a political party, he lacked the power to determine the survival of APGA.

“Having secured an all-round victory for APGA in 3 different courts, Njoku has demonstrated maturity and magnanimity in victory.

“He has seized every opportunity both in private and public domains to stretch his hand of fellowship to Prof. Soludo and all members of APGA, irrespective of factional inclination, that the time to unite and rebuild the party has come.

“I know as well as so many well-meaning Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a thoroughbred democrat and a progressive politician who after winning his presidential election of 2023, patiently and diligently successfully defended the outcome of the election both at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and at the Supreme Court.

“They will not be the first to take that option and they will not be the last to do so. But to design a plot to collapse APGA into another party just to promote his personal political scheming and ambition is not only sacrilegious but an abomination that cries to high heaven.

“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, especially, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the father of the nation to prevail on Soludo to rein in whatever that is propelling him to target APGA for destruction.

“I wish to repeat that Professor Chukwuma Soludo joined APGA voluntarily and is at liberty to exit the same way without attempting to destroy a house he did not build.”

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Anthony Joshua Names Muhammad Ali Best Boxer Of All Time

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Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has revealed that the best boxer in history is the late Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali, who died on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74, was regarded as the greatest boxer of all time even after his demise.

In his active years, the 6 ft 3 inches tall boxer who was born Cassius Clay recorded 56 wins, 37 by knockouts, and just five defeats in 61 career fights.

Muhammad Ali gained prominence in the world of boxing after beating renowned boxers like George Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers. He was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world from 1974 to 1978.

Before he ventured into professional boxing, Ali won gold in virtually all the amateur tournaments he featured in including the 1960 Olympics, Intercity Golden Gloves, Chicago Golden Gloves, and US National Championships.

Due to his success in boxing and his activism, he was widely regarded as the people’s champion.

In an interview with Men’s Health recently, Anthony Joshua was asked who is his all-time best boxer, the former two times heavyweight champion said: “Historically, Ali. By a mile”.

Note that Joshua has not also done badly for himself so far as he has won virtually everything in boxing including Olympic gold for England at the 2012 London Olympics.

In his professional boxing career, he has beaten top-class boxers like Dillian Whyte, Charles Martin, Joseph Parker, Wladimir Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr, and a host of others.

Joshua has the chance of becoming a three-time heavyweight champion when he takes on Daniel Dubois for the IBF title at Wembley in September.

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“It’s Time For Change, And A New Chapter” – Gareth Southgate Resigns As England Manager

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Hours after leading Egland to the finals of the Euro 2024 tournament, Gareth Southgate has resigned as the manager of the England men’s senior national team.

Announcing his decision, Southgate said he is proud to have managed the England national team, but is it time for a new chapter and for change.

The tactician said his final match was the Euro 2024 defeat to Spain, which the Three Lions lost 2-1.

He expressed his appreciation to the fans, players and football association for the opportunity to manage the England national team.

“As a proud Englishman, it has been the honour of my life to play for England and to manage England. It has meant everything to me, and I have given it my all.

“But it’s time for change, and for a new chapter. Sunday’s final in Berlin against Spain was my final game as England manager. I joined the FA in 2011, determined to improve English football. In that time, including eight years as England men’s manager, I have been supported by some brilliant people who have my heartfelt thanks.

“I could not have had anyone better alongside me than Steve Holland. He is one of the most talented coaches of his generation, and has been immense.

“I have had the privilege of leading a large group of players in 102 games. Every one of them has been proud to wear the three lions on their shirts, and they have been a credit to their country in so many ways.

“The squad we took to Germany is full of exciting young talent and they can win the trophy we all dream of. I am so proud of them, and I hope we get behind the players and the team at St. George’s Park and the FA who strive every day to improve English football, and understand the power football has to drive positive change.

“My special thanks go to the backroom staff who have provided the players and me with unstinting support over the last eight years. Their hard work and commitment inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them – the brilliant ‘team behind the team’.

“We have the best fans in the world, and their support has meant the world to me. I’m an England fan and I always will be.I look forward to watching and celebrating as the players go on to create more special memories and to connect and inspire the nation as we know they can. Thank you, England – for everything,” Southgate said.

The manager was in charge of 102 games, recording 64 wins, 20 draws and 18 defeats.

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‘It Is Transnational Education’ – FG Speaks On Selling Public Universities To Private Investors

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The federal government of Nigeria has denied reports that it plans to sell the nation’s public universities to private investors.

The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, made the public denial on Tuesday while speaking during the Second Quarterly Engagement of the ministry with heads of units and chief executive officers of parastatals and agencies under the ministry.

He, however, added that part of the reforms the current administration is embarking upon involves what is called transnational education.

World wide gist understands, according to the Minister’s explanation, that transnational education is a policy on what the government is doing to open up tertiary education by allowing people from the rest of the world to come and invest in the nation’s tertiary system.

Mamman, who was responding based on the background of an earlier allegation by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that the government wants to sell off the public institutions to private investors, stressed that what the government is promoting is a public-private partnership in the interest of the nation’s educational sector.

”There is no plan to sell off universities to investors,” the Minister said.

“Some people are carrying information that the Federal Government is selling off to private investors its universities. This is an absolute lie and completely false.

“This government believes in our public institutions. However, as we all know this government has reforms that this country needs.

“The private sector will play a major role in the provision of tertiary education, as there are more private universities in Nigeria than public universities combined.

“What this government has done is to open up the tertiary education level, in particular the universities, for global competitiveness,” he added.

The Minister said Nigeria must begin to adopt international best practices by allowing those who operate universities at the international level to come into the country and set up institutions either for themselves or in collaboration with local universities.

He said that this is in no way related to selling the institutions, noting that guidelines on transnational education had been in place.

“In other parts of the world, like Asia, they have benefited immensely from having international institutions in those countries.

“They have taken standards to those countries and also for the exchange and bringing money to those countries,” he said.

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