President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to attend the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit. The summit will focus on the current situation in the Middle East. 

The Summit will commence on Monday, November 11, 2024. 

It is being held at the invitation of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and follows last year’s summit in the same Saudi city.

During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to address the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict, emphasising Nigeria’s strong call for an immediate ceasefire and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. 

Nigeria will also advocate for renewed efforts to revive the two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace in the region.

Key officials including the minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, will accompany the President. 

Other members of the entourage are the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Mohammed Mohammed. 

After the conclusion of the summit, President Tinubu will return to Abuja.

A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, however, was not explicit on the exact date the President will return to Abuja.

Liverpool icon and football analyst, Mark Lawrenson, has shared his predictions for the upcoming Premier League matchups this weekend.

Known for his candid commentary, Lawrenson offers insights into the potential outcomes of several key fixtures, including matchups featuring Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Chelsea, which are set to unfold across England.

Among the anticipated fixtures, Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, will travel to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening. Liverpool, fresh from an impressive run, will take on Aston Villa at Anfield in a high-stakes Saturday night clash.

Meanwhile, Manchester United is set to host Leicester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea welcomes their London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge in what promises to be an intense encounter.

Lawrenson, speaking via Paddy Power, laid out his predictions for the weekend matches, hinting at potential outcomes based on each team’s current form and recent performances.

Below are the scores Lawrenson forecasts for each game:Wolves vs Southampton: Lawrenson sees Wolves pulling off a narrow win, predicting a 2-1 victory at Molineux. With Wolves showing resilience at home, they might edge out Southampton in what could be a closely contested fixture.West Ham vs Everton: In this encounter, Lawrenson tips West Ham to defeat Everton, predicting a 2-0 scoreline. West Ham’s defensive stability and Everton’s struggles on the road contribute to this prediction of a straightforward victory for the Hammers.

Brentford vs Bournemouth: Brentford is favored in this matchup, with Lawrenson forecasting a 2-1 win. The Bees have been strong at home, and Bournemouth’s recent struggles could leave them vulnerable in this outing.

Crystal Palace vs Fulham: This fixture is expected to be a tight contest, with Fulham narrowly edging Crystal Palace by 1-0, according to Lawrenson.

He believes Fulham’s disciplined defense might help them secure an away win.Brighton vs Manchester City: Lawrenson predicts a 1-2 win for Manchester City.

Though Brighton has shown attacking prowess, the defending champions’ quality is likely to see them through with a hard-fought win.

Liverpool vs Aston Villa: At Anfield, Lawrenson anticipates Liverpool overcoming Aston Villa with a 2-1 victory.

Liverpool’s home advantage and strong lineup give them the edge against a capable Villa side.Manchester United vs Leicester City: At Old Trafford, Lawrenson predicts Manchester United will secure a 2-0 victory over Leicester. United’s recent form and home advantage could be the deciding factors in this matchup.

Nottingham Forest vs Newcastle United: Lawrenson foresees a draw, with both sides holding each other to a 1-1 finish. Nottingham Forest’s solid home form and Newcastle’s resurgence might result in a balanced game.

Tottenham Hotspur vs Ipswich Town: Tottenham is expected to have the upper hand, with Lawrenson predicting a 2-0 win. Spurs’ attacking depth might overwhelm Ipswich in this encounter.

Chelsea vs Arsenal: The weekend’s standout fixture, Chelsea vs Arsenal, has Lawrenson predicting a 0-2 victory for Arsenal.

Chelsea’s mixed form and Arsenal’s cohesive play could tip the balance in favor of the Gunners, who are on a strong run this season.

These predictions add an exciting layer of anticipation for fans eager to see how the weekend unfolds.

Lawrenson’s insights reflect current trends and team dynamics, offering fans a glimpse into potential outcomes.

With teams battling for points and positions, this weekend’s matches promise drama, goals, and competitive action across Premier League grounds.

A brutal assault on the village of Solhan, located in the Bangaba district of Burkina Faso’s northern Sahel Region, has left 22 civilians dead and four others wounded.

The tragic event unfolded on Friday during the early hours when a group linked to al-Qaeda targeted residents as they gathered for morning prayers.

The attackers reportedly belonged to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an extremist organization with a history of violence in the region.

The news, disclosed on Saturday by counterterrorism and insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, highlighted the increasing violence plaguing Burkina Faso’s Sahel Region. Makama, in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter), noted that the attackers struck shortly after dawn, initiating chaos and fear among the defenseless civilians.

Witnesses described a scene of devastation as the community was thrown into panic, with the assailants showing no regard for life or the sacredness of the prayer gathering.

Local emergency responders confirmed that all the casualties were civilians.

Those who sustained injuries were promptly transported to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.

The region has been grappling with heightened violence over recent years, leading to significant internal displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

This incident adds to the ongoing instability in Burkina Faso, particularly in areas bordering Mali and Niger.

The Sahel, already marked by volatile security conditions, has seen a steady rise in extremist attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel.

The proximity of Burkina Faso’s northern regions to conflict zones in Mali and Niger has exacerbated the challenges faced by both the local population and national security forces.

The situation in the Sahel Region has spurred a massive humanitarian response, but the continuing violence has made it increasingly difficult to provide effective assistance.

Local communities in the affected areas are frequently forced to flee their homes, leaving behind livelihoods and social networks.

The displacement crisis, combined with the deteriorating security conditions, has led to growing calls for international support to stabilize the region.

Burkina Faso’s security forces, stretched thin by ongoing counterinsurgency operations, face significant challenges in preventing such attacks, especially in remote regions.

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and stronger international collaboration to address the underlying causes of extremism and the ongoing conflict in the Sahel.

The Burkinabe government, along with regional allies and global partners, is confronted with the formidable task of curbing the influence of terrorist groups like JNIM and restoring stability for the affected civilian population.

Canada has introduced new guidelines for tourist visas, signaling the end of its previous practice of routinely issuing 10-year multiple-entry visas to eligible visitors.

Under the revised rules by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), immigration officers now have greater discretion to determine both the type and duration of visas based on individual assessments, moving away from automatic long-term validity as a standard approach.Previously, Canada offered two primary types of tourist visas: the multiple-entry visa and the single-entry visa.

While the multiple-entry visa was the standard for most applicants, allowing travelers to enter Canada repeatedly for up to 10 years or until one month before their passport expired, single-entry visas were reserved for specific cases such as official government visits or single-event participation.

Now, IRCC guidance no longer considers the 10-year multiple-entry visa as a default option, allowing officers to choose the appropriate visa type and validity period according to each traveler’s circumstances.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document,” explained the IRCC. “Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period.

“The IRCC clarified that the change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing Canada’s temporary immigration numbers more effectively while addressing ongoing infrastructure and economic challenges, such as rising housing costs and limited housing availability.

The new visa guidelines reflect a wider effort by the Canadian government to adapt immigration policy to balance infrastructure capabilities with immigration levels.

With recent increases in immigration contributing to housing shortages and elevated living costs, the government is seeking to limit pressures on resources by adjusting both temporary and permanent immigration flows.In line with this shift, the IRCC has also announced reductions to Canada’s permanent resident admissions targets.

The target, which was previously set to reach 500,000 by 2025, will now be lowered to 395,000, with further reductions planned for 2026 and 2027.

These changes underscore the Canadian government’s goal of aligning immigration with sustainable economic and infrastructure development.

While the visa application fee remains CAD 100 per person, the change in policy could lead to increased costs for frequent travelers, who may now need to renew their visas more often due to potentially shorter validity periods.

Although applicants will still have the option to apply for multiple-entry visas, the new guidelines mean that each application will be evaluated individually, with officers making decisions based on specific travel needs, applicant history, and purpose of the visit.

By tailoring visa durations to the traveler, Canada hopes to more effectively manage visitor numbers while ensuring its resources are able to accommodate both residents and visitors.

This policy update highlights Canada’s commitment to a balanced immigration approach that considers the country’s current infrastructure challenges while still welcoming tourists, students, and temporary workers.

As the IRCC continues to refine its immigration policies, travelers are encouraged to review the latest guidelines and understand that their visa validity and type may vary based on this new case-by-case assessment approach.

Mikel Arteta expects Arsenal to bounce back from their difficult spell in Sunday’s crucial clash with Chelsea after sensing his players’ hunger during a team meeting this week.

Arteta’s side are without a victory in their last three Premier League games and have won just three of their last eight in the competition.

Beaten 1-0 by Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, following last weekend’s loss at Newcastle, the north Londoners are desperate to end their slump in this weekend’s London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal were expected to challenge for the title after finishing second to Manchester City in each of the past two seasons.
Arteta is confident his side will rise to the challenge of turning their season around.

“Obviously, when you don’t win, it affects the mood and the energy. The positive is there is nobody inside or outside of this building who wants to win more than I do,” he told reporters on Friday.

“Today, I had a meeting with them about it and I can sense it straight away.

“They are paying attention, they are hungry, they want to work. Their desire is unbelievable. They are a joy to work with.”

Chelsea are currently one spot above the fifth-placed Gunners, who trail leaders Liverpool by seven points.

Arsenal’s only wins in their last six matches in all competitions came against Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe and second-tier Preston in the League Cup.

Another defeat this weekend would be a huge blow to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the title for the first time since 2004.

‘We don’t need a reset’

Despite their struggles, Arteta is certain they will be able to claw their way back into contention.

“The problem is quite identifiable and very resolvable,” added the Spaniard.

“Watching the Inter match back twice, I have never seen my team do that to anyone. You think, how on earth haven’t we won that game?

“The team is doing 10 times better than last season, but at the end of the day you have to win. The margins become smaller and smaller when you don’t.”

Odegaard came off the bench as a late substitute against Inter as the Norway midfielder finally returned from the ankle problem sustained on international duty in September.

He could start against Chelsea, and Arteta said: “Certainly having a player like Martin helps because he has shown how important he is over the last three or four years.

“He tried his best to be involved while he was injured, but not having him in the squad is different.

“We hope he is going to help because he has been incredibly good. He has been out for a while, so let’s see how he impacts the team.”

Eighteen political parties in Ondo State have recently demonstrated their commitment to a peaceful and transparent democratic process by signing a peace accord ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial election.

The agreement, which includes a pledge to accept election results if deemed free and fair, marks a significant step toward fostering a violence-free election.

This accord represents a shared responsibility among political actors to ensure that the electoral process is upheld without any disruptions, thereby providing a sense of stability and trust in Ondo’s democratic institutions.General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who chairs the National Peace Committee (NPC), played a pivotal role in encouraging these parties to come together for the cause of peace.

Speaking at the signing event, Abubakar emphasized the crucial role political parties play in upholding democratic principles.

He implored all candidates to reject practices that compromise election integrity, such as vote-buying and intimidation, and urged them to respect the will of the people as expressed through their votes. Abubakar’s message reinforced the NPC’s ongoing mission to promote peace and stability in Nigeria’s electoral processes, highlighting the importance of maintaining a peaceful political climate.

In support of these efforts, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), delivered a goodwill message that reiterated the importance of peaceful elections in Nigeria. Yakubu reported that Ondo State has not experienced any security incidents in the lead-up to the election, a development he attributed to collective vigilance and a strong sense of civic duty among all stakeholders. He assured the public and participating political parties that INEC has made substantial improvements in electoral logistics to facilitate a smooth voting process.

Professor Yakubu also encouraged parties to honor the peace accord they had signed, as a way of sustaining this positive environment throughout the election.

The Nigeria Police Force has also reinforced its commitment to a safe election. Represented by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sylvester Abiodun, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced the deployment of over 36,000 police officers across the state’s 18 local government areas.

These officers will be further supported by other security personnel, bringing the total number of security agents to 43,157. This extensive deployment underscores the seriousness with which the Nigeria Police Force regards the need for a secure election environment, capable of preventing any disruptions or violence on election day.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa praised the efforts of the National Peace Committee, stating that the peace accord serves as a testament to the collective resolve to protect democracy in Nigeria.

Governor Aiyedatiwa assured citizens and political actors of his own administration’s dedication to upholding democratic norms, advocating for a peaceful election.

He also called on all parties and supporters to prioritize the peace accord, emphasizing that a peaceful environment is essential for reflecting the true voice of the people.

The peace accord signed by Ondo’s political parties is a crucial milestone in the broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and reduce election violence. It serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and unity in achieving shared goals, promoting transparency, and ensuring that elections reflect the will of the people without fear of conflict or intimidation. With these commitments, Ondo State stands poised to set an example for peaceful elections across Nigeria.