Manchester City on Saturday made history after beating Southampton 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final encounter.
Two second-half goals from Jeremy Doku and Nicolas Gonzalez ensured Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Southampton at Wembley Stadium to qualify for the FA Cup final.
The first half had ended in a 0-0 draw before Finn Azaz scored in the 79th minute for Southampton.
However, according to OptaJoe, the win over Southampton means Man City are the first ever team to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals in the history of the competition.
The Cityzens will now face the winner between Chelsea and Leeds United in the FA Cup final.
Chelsea will face Leeds in the other FA Cup semi-final encounter on Sunday.
Hundreds of Israelis took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, gathering at Habima Square to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in demonstrations that coincided with High Court hearings on the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre.
The protest, organised by the Movement for Quality Government Corruption Watchdog and allied civil society groups, drew demonstrators calling to defend Israel’s judicial system and demanding accountability for what they describe as the government’s failure to prevent the Hamas-led attacks that killed approximately 1,200 Israelis nearly 1,000 days ago.
Anti-government protesters demand an October 7 inquiry at Habima Square, Tel Aviv, April 25, 2026. (Jack Guez/AFP)
Speakers at the rally included a legal scholar, a retired military general, and bereaved parents who criticised Netanyahu’s alleged attacks on the judiciary, his government’s push to codify exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students, and what demonstrators called a persistent refusal to accept responsibility for the security failures that preceded October 7.
Among the most prominent voices was Hagit Chen, mother of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American soldier killed on October 7 whose body remains in Gaza. “It’s been nearly a thousand days,” Chen told the crowd. “The truth hasn’t been investigated, and responsibility hasn’t been taken.” She added: “You can’t ask us to bury both our children and the truth.”
In a striking symbolic gesture, a column of approximately 200 protesters marched to the rally from the Hungarian Embassy in Tel Aviv’s Old North neighbourhood, carrying a large Hungarian flag to celebrate the recent election defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close Netanyahu ally. Orbán’s 16-year rule ended last week following a victory by opposition leader Péter Magyar.
Protesters drew direct comparisons between Orbán’s dismantling of Hungary’s judiciary and what they describe as Netanyahu’s similar moves against Israel’s court system.
Chants from the marching bloc included “Seventh of October — the Netanyahu massacre,” reflecting the opposition’s position that government negligence was a central factor in the attacks.
The demonstrations unfolded against a tense legal backdrop. Israel’s High Court of Justice has been holding hearings on whether to compel the government to establish an independent state commission of inquiry into the October 7 failures, a move Netanyahu has resisted, arguing any such commission would be biased against him. The government’s position has drawn sharp public criticism, particularly from families of those killed or still held in Gaza.
Saturday’s protests were part of a sustained wave of anti-government demonstrations that have continued across Israel for months. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), more than 1,667 protests have taken place across Israel since October 2023, with at least ten drawing crowds exceeding 100,000.
Police were present at Habima Square but no major arrests were reported during Saturday’s demonstration. At least two right-wing counter-protesters who clashed with demonstrators near the speakers’ stage were removed by officers on the ground.
The protests come as Netanyahu’s government faces simultaneous pressures on multiple fronts, including ongoing war operations, an unresolved hostage crisis, international arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court, and deeply contested domestic legislation.
Netanyahu has not publicly responded to Saturday’s demonstrations.
In a show of political strength and growing grassroots appeal, a massive crowd flooded Ribadu Square in Yola on Saturday as 36-year-old entrepreneur and philanthropist, Alhaji Abdulrahman Bashir Haske, formally declared his intention to contest the Adamawa State governorship in the 2027 general elections.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement as supporters, party loyalists, traditional leaders, youth groups, and women from across the 21 local government areas gathered to witness what many described as the official take-off of a new political movement in the state.
Mammoth Crowd
Standing before the enthusiastic crowd, Haske framed his ambition not as a personal quest for power, but as a collective mission to transform Adamawa. He declared that his decision was driven by a commitment to “rescue, rebuild, and reposition Adamawa for sustainable development,” drawing loud applause from the audience.
At the heart of his declaration was the unveiling of his policy blueprint – the Adamawa A.R.I.S.E Agenda – a multi-sectoral framework designed to tackle the state’s most pressing challenges.
The agenda focuses on accountable governance, economic resilience, infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, social development, and security.
Haske described the A.R.I.S.E Agenda as a practical and data-driven response to the realities facing Adamawa, including high poverty levels, overdependence on federal allocations, and worsening youth unemployment.
He noted that with a reported poverty rate of over 75 per cent and about 87 per cent reliance on federal revenue, the state must urgently rethink its development strategy.
“Our people deserve a government that works, a system that delivers, and leadership that listens,” he said, emphasizing that his administration would prioritize transparency, productivity, and inclusive growth.
He placed particular emphasis on youth empowerment and women inclusion, calling on both groups to take ownership of the state’s future.
According to him, job creation, skills development, and support for small and medium enterprises would form a cornerstone of his economic plan, alongside strategic investments in agriculture and security.
Political leaders and stakeholders at the event noted the symbolic significance of the large turnout, describing it as an indication of Haske’s growing influence within political and social circles in Adamawa.
The presence of former commissioners, local government chairmen, party stakeholders, and community leaders added weight to the declaration and signaled early consolidation of political support.
Adding to the momentum was the mobilization effort led by Hajiya Amina Yuguda, founder of the Haske Aminci Foundation, who brought in a large contingent of supporters from the Verre Zone.
Women and youths were seen chanting solidarity songs as speaker after speaker eulogised the entrepreneur.
Beyond the spectacle, political speakers at the event said Haske’s emergence reflects a broader shift in the state’s political dynamics – one that is increasingly open to younger candidates with private sector experience and a reform-oriented message.
At 36, Haske represents a new generation of political actors seeking to bridge governance with enterprise and innovation. His background as an entrepreneur and philanthropist has earned him recognition, particularly through agricultural support initiatives and humanitarian interventions that have impacted vulnerable communities, they said.
In recent months, he has also gained traction within the All Progressives Congress (APC), with some stakeholders informally backing his aspiration and describing him as a candidate with clarity of vision and developmental focus.
Those following his movement have argued that the early articulation of a structured policy agenda could give Haske an edge in what is expected to be a fiercely contested governorship race.
They noted that voters in Adamawa are becoming increasingly issue-driven, with greater attention to economic recovery, infrastructure deficits, and security concerns, all encapsulated in Haske’s vision.
The leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Jigawa State, Aminu Ibrahim Ringim, has officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ringim announced his defection on Saturday during his ADC membership registration held in Ringim Local Government Area, his hometown, where a large crowd gathered to witness the event.
Addressing the mammoth gathering, he said he left the NNPP to join forces with like-minded politicians in order to rescue the country from challenges such as insecurity, inflation, hunger, and unemployment.
According to him, Nigerians must unite to confront what he described as the hardship and humiliation being experienced under the present administration.
He urged his supporters and other residents to register with the ADC, saying a stronger opposition platform would be needed to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Ringim also dismissed claims that the ADC coalition would collapse after its primaries, noting that similar doubts were previously expressed about opposition figures coming together.
According to him, “They said Obi, Kwankwaso and Atiku will not be together, and now they are together. Now they are saying after the party primaries, ADC will not survive.
“They also said in Jigawa we will not be together, and now we are together. They are rumouring that after the primary election, ADC will be no more.
“It is our agreement that we will put our state and country first, work for it, and make sure we change the government for the betterment of the state and the country.”
He added that ADC leaders in Jigawa State and across the country had agreed to remain united and support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate after the primary elections.
He said leaders and supporters of the party in Jigawa had resolved to work together for the progress of the state and the country.
The former NNPP chieftain further stated that over 15 million Nigerians had so far registered with the ADC, while the party was targeting an additional 30 million registrations nationwide ahead of the elections.
He urged Nigerians to join the movement and register with the party for a brighter future for the country.
Ringim contested as a gubernatorial candidate in 2015 and, in 2023, as the NNPP gubernatorial candidate.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar has announced he will run for governor of Bauchi State in the 2027 general election.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving him the opportunity to serve as a minister, saying the role helped him understand governance better and prepared him to serve the people of Bauchi more effectively.
Tuggar, who once represented Gamawa in the House of Representatives, said he has stepped down from his government position in line with rules for political appointees seeking elective office.
Announcing his ambition, he said he is not running for personal gain but to improve the state.
“Our state stands at a crossroads. Despite our abundant resources, many people remain poor and lack access to quality education and healthcare. This must change,” he said.
He explained that his experience in business and farming gives him insight into the struggles of entrepreneurs, farmers, and herders.
Tuggar, who previously contested the governorship but lost, said those experiences taught him resilience and the realities of elections. He also stressed the importance of paying workers’ salaries on time.
He promised to build on past achievements while addressing earlier shortcomings, with a focus on agriculture, rural development, and economic growth.
He said his plan includes investing in farming, livestock, agro-processing, rural roads, and storage to make agriculture more profitable.
“We will support farmers with incentives and improve our weekly markets, which sustain millions of livelihoods across the state,” he said.
On security, Tuggar pledged to address rising insecurity through community policing, dialogue, and stronger ties with traditional leaders.
“No farmer should fear going to the farm, no business person should fear travelling on our roads, and no child should be afraid to go to school,” he stated.
The Chairman of the Niger State Internal Revenue Service, NGSIRS, Mr. Mohammed Etsu, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deepening tax reforms through statewide sensitisation, full automation of revenue collection, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to curb extortion and ensure compliance.
Mr. Etsu stated this after receiving a Service Award at the gala night of the 159th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), hosted by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) in Lagos.
He said the NGSIRS would intensify awareness campaigns on the Approved List for Collection to ensure taxpayers are clearly informed of their obligations and the appropriate authorities to remit payments to.
The NGSIRS chairman also disclosed plans to accelerate the automation of revenue processes across ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as all 25 local government areas in Niger State.
According to him, “The Service will further deploy joint monitoring teams in collaboration with relevant security agencies to strengthen compliance and eliminate illegal revenue collection practices in line with the three-point resolutions of the JRB meeting.”
“No legitimate taxpayer should be subjected to harassment or multiple taxation outside approved channels,” he insisted.
Mr. Etsu further emphasised that internally generated revenue must directly translate into visible development projects such as schools, hospitals, and road infrastructure.
On the award, the chairman said, “The award recognises NGSIRS’s role in aligning with national tax policy reforms, particularly its implementation of the Model Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law 2026, as well as its efforts to promote ease of doing business while strengthening internally generated revenue.”
Mr. Etsu then dedicated the award to the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umaru Bago, staff of the NGSIRS, and taxpayers in the state, describing it as a renewed call to strengthen transparency, accountability, and service delivery in revenue administration.
The meeting brought together the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and heads of all 36 state internal revenue services to advance ongoing national tax reform efforts.
The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria has endorsed new regulatory measures introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria aimed at strengthening security in the country’s rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Institute’s President and Chairman of Council, Kevin Ugwoke, described the framework as a timely response to growing threats within the financial system, particularly fraud, identity theft and unauthorised access linked to instant payment platforms.
The Institute highlighted several safeguards introduced by the apex bank, including a N20,000 transaction cap on newly activated mobile banking applications within their first 24 hours, compulsory device binding, and the deployment of real-time enterprise fraud monitoring systems.
According to CRMI, these measures target one of the most vulnerable stages in digital banking account onboarding and activation when fraudsters often attempt to compromise user credentials.
“By limiting transaction exposure during the high-risk activation window, the framework significantly reduces the opportunity for fraudsters to exploit newly onboarded or compromised accounts,” the statement read in part.
The new framework comes amid a surge in electronic transactions driven by mobile banking, fintech platforms and Nigeria’s broader push toward a cash lite economy. In recent years, the country’s instant payment system has recorded significant growth, with millions of daily transactions running into trillions of naira monthly.
However, this growth has also been accompanied by increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, including SIM swap attacks, phishing, social engineering and account takeovers. Industry data and regulatory disclosures have shown repeated spikes in fraud attempts, particularly during onboarding or when customers change devices.
In response, the CBN has intensified oversight of banks, fintech firms and payment service providers, issuing guidelines focused on consumer protection, operational resilience and cybersecurity. The latest measures build on earlier directives around Know Your Customer compliance, transaction monitoring and dispute resolution timelines.
A key feature of the framework is the introduction of layered security at the point of entry into digital channels, particularly the restriction on transaction values immediately after activation, alongside device registration protocols designed to prevent unauthorised access from new or cloned devices.
The Institute also welcomed the introduction of the Nigerian Overnight Financing Rate, noting that it is expected to improve transparency and consistency in short-term funding costs within the financial system.
While expressing support for the policy direction, CRMI stressed that effective implementation by financial institutions would be critical to achieving the desired outcomes.
It urged banks, fintech operators and payment service providers to upgrade cybersecurity infrastructure, strengthen fraud detection systems and invest in continuous staff training, while also enhancing customer awareness on safe digital banking practices.
The Institute added that it would continue to support regulatory reforms through professional training, policy advocacy and collaboration with industry stakeholders as Nigeria advances toward a more technology-driven financial system.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has intensified his call for stronger inter-agency and international collaboration to combat cybercrime.
Disu warned that the rapidly evolving digital threat landscape demands coordinated responses that extend beyond national borders.
He spoke during a visit by the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja, where security stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to adopting a unified and strategic approach to tackling cyber-related offences.
According to Akaninyene Ezima, Director of the NPF National Cybercrime Centre, the IGP stressed the urgency of strengthening synergy among security and justice institutions to improve enforcement mechanisms and ensure effective prosecution of cybercrime cases.
While receiving the delegation, Ezima underscored the growing complexity of cybercriminal operations and emphasised the critical role of intelligence sharing and joint operations in dismantling sophisticated criminal networks operating across jurisdictions.
Speaking during the visit, the team’s leader, Jamila Akaaga Ade, reaffirmed the group’s readiness to support ongoing efforts to curb cybercrime.
“We are committed to working closely with the NPF-NCCC to combat cybercrime both locally and internationally,” she said.
She further explained that the team operates with a mandate to investigate cybercrime cases across member agencies while leveraging international legal frameworks to facilitate the swift prosecution of offenders, particularly in cases involving cross-border elements.
The Joint Case Team on Cybercrime comprises representatives from key institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, Federal Ministry of Justice, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and the NPF.
