
Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has criticized former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff's comments regarding Peter Obi's electoral strength in Northern Nigeria. Kwankwaso expressed disappointment with Sheriff's interview on Channels Television, stating that his remarks did not reflect the realities of Northern politics. He challenged Sheriff's assertion that Obi lacked significant support in the North, highlighting that Obi secured approximately 2.8 million votes in the region during his first presidential contest. Kwankwaso also noted that current economic and social challenges, alongside the perceived failures of the ruling administration, have strengthened the prospects of the "OK ticket" in the region, further bolstered by the inclusion of a prominent Northern figure who previously garnered about 1.45 million votes. He refuted Sheriff's claim that Kano voters would not support Obi, emphasizing that Kano residents have historically backed candidates endorsed by the Kwankwasiyya Movement, irrespective of ethnic or regional factors. Kwankwaso urged Sheriff to focus on security and humanitarian issues in his home state instead of making what he termed divisive remarks, concluding that the "OK ticket" offers the best opportunity for Nigeria's progress.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadDangote Industries Limited has started preliminary work on its proposed $17 billion, 700,000-barrels-per-day refinery in Kenya, which is expected to become East Africa鈥檚 largest refining project. The company has selected a site on Lamu Island off the Kenyan coast, with soil tests and engineering design currently underway. The refinery is projected to take about three years to complete and will supply refined petroleum products to Kenya and neighboring countries, aiming to reduce East Africa鈥檚 reliance on imported fuels. Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, personally assured the Presidents of Kenya and Uganda of his commitment to establish the refinery in East Africa. This project is Dangote Group鈥檚 largest refining investment outside Nigeria and is part of its strategy to expand refining capacity across Africa. The financing will come from a combination of internally generated cash, bonds, and proceeds from the company鈥檚 planned initial public offering. The proposed Kenyan refinery reflects a growing recognition in Africa that local refining is crucial for energy security, foreign exchange conservation, and industrial development. This initiative follows the successful commissioning of the 650,000-barrels-per-day Dangote refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, which has significantly boosted local fuel production. Dangote Industries also plans to increase its combined refining capacity to 2.1 million barrels per day across Nigeria and Kenya, and invest an additional $46 billio

The National Universities Commission and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board have approved the enforcement of admission quotas for engineering and technology programs in Nigerian universities. This decision, announced by Professor Sadiq Abubakar, President of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria COREN, aims to enhance the quality of engineering education and practical training. The quotas will ensure that universities admit only the number of students that their existing infrastructure, laboratories, workshops, equipment, and academic staff can adequately support. This move is intended to produce competent graduates with stronger hands-on skills who can compete globally. COREN is also working with the National Board for Technical Education to introduce similar controls for polytechnic engineering programs. Additionally, COREN has reintroduced the indexing and oath-taking for engineering graduates, along with a mandatory one-year Engineering Residency Program for degree and Higher National Diploma holders before their National Youth Service Corps. The council has also trained and certified 239 engineering infrastructure failure and forensic investigators and 839 engineering program evaluators to strengthen accreditation and quality assurance. COREN has intensified compliance inspections, expanded regional offices, digitized registration, and reactivated its disciplinary tribunal to bolster engineering regulation and address failures stemming from n
Must ReadFrance will play Morocco in a World Cup quarterfinal on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Boston. The match, a rematch of the 2022 World Cup semifinal, will kick off at 9:00 pm Nigeria time. France enters as favorites, relying on the pace and creativity of attackers like Kylian Mbapp茅, Ousmane Demb茅l茅, and Michael Olise. Morocco will counter with disciplined defense, quick counterattacks, and the attacking runs of Achraf Hakimi, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou potentially playing a key role. France is monitoring midfielder Aur茅lien Tchouam茅ni's fitness, while Morocco may be without Ismael Saibari due to injury. Argentina's Facundo Tello will referee the match. France has won all five tournament matches, including a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, while unbeaten Morocco eliminated the Netherlands on penalties and beat Canada 3-0. A key tactical battle will be between Mbapp茅 and Hakimi, former Paris Saint-Germain teammates, as Mbapp茅 attacks France's left flank. The winner will advance to the semifinal to face the winner of Spain vs Belgium. France seeks another World Cup title, and Morocco aims to continue its historic run after becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal in 2022.