​UK state visit: First Lady Remi Tinubu to preach at Lambeth Palace

​LONDON – Marking Nigeria’s first official state visit to the United Kingdom in nearly 40 years, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu is scheduled to deliver a sermon at Lambeth Palace, the historic seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, this Thursday.

​The First Lady’s address to the Church of England comes as part of a high-profile diplomatic itinerary following the arrival of President Bola Tinubu and the First Lady at London’s Stansted Airport on Tuesday.

​The visit is anchored by significant royal protocol. On Wednesday, the President and First Lady would meet with King Charles III and the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine.

The day will culminate in a formal audience with the King at Windsor Castle, followed by a prestigious state banquet.

​The visit underscores a deepening alliance between the two nations. In November 2024, London and Abuja finalized a Strategic Partnership focused on economic growth, immigration, and security. Key discussions are expected to include:

• ​Trade Expansion: Bilateral trade reached £8.1 billion ($11 billion) in the year ending September 2025, an 11.4% increase.
• ​Infrastructure: British-backed renovations of major Nigerian ports.
• ​Security Cooperation: Addressing regional stability following recent tragedies.

​Visit amidst domestic challenges

​The diplomatic celebration is tempered by a somber security situation at home. Following suspected suicide bombings in Borno State on Monday that claimed at least 23 lives, President Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to Maiduguri to take direct command of the situation.

​The administration also continues to navigate international scrutiny regarding the long-standing insurgency.

The visit serves as a platform to strengthen defense ties and address complex narratives surrounding religious freedom and security within the country.

​On Thursday, President Tinubu is slated to hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and engage with the UK’s vibrant Nigerian diaspora. Notably, the official schedule omits the traditional meeting with the British opposition leadership.

​While President Tinubu met with King Charles as recently as September 2024, this week marks the first formal State Visit—the highest level of diplomatic honour—since 1989.

UCL: Arsenal ease into last eight as PSG humiliate Chelsea, Madrid dump Man City

Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a composed 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Tuesday’s round of 16 second-leg clash.

Mikel Arteta’s side, widely tipped among this season’s contenders, delivered a disciplined performance, with Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice finding the net to seal progression.

After an evenly contested opening, Eze broke the deadlock just before halftime, rifling a superb half-volley into the top corner to hand the hosts the advantage. Rice then put the tie beyond doubt in the 64th minute, finishing calmly from the edge of the box for his first goal of the campaign in Europe.

The victory saw Arsenal overcome a German opponent in European competition for the first time in six attempts, while also securing a third consecutive quarter-final appearance.

They will next face Sporting CP, who staged a remarkable comeback to overturn a first-leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt with a 5-0 rout in Lisbon.

At Stamford Bridge, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a ruthless display, thrashing Chelsea 3-0 to complete an emphatic 8-2 aggregate victory. Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu underlined PSG’s dominance.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid continued their European pedigree with a 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester City, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate triumph. It marks the second straight season the Spanish giants have eliminated City from the competition.

Results:

Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Arsenal advance 3-1 on aggregate)

Chelsea 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG advance 8-2 on aggregate)

Sporting Lisbon 5-0 Bodo/Glimt (Sporting advance 5-3 on aggregate)

Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (Real Madrid advance 5-1 on aggregate)

Obasanjo, Jonathan, and Shettima Witness Soludo’s Second-Term Inauguration

AWKA – Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has officially commenced his second term as the Governor of Anambra State following a high-profile swearing-in ceremony at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square.

The event, which drew a diverse crowd of local and international dignitaries, reached its peak at 11:50 am when Soludo took the oath of allegiance. Accompanied by his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, the Governor signed the official documents before the State Chief Judge at 11:55 am, signaling the formal start of an administration set to run until 2026.

A Gathering of Giants

The inauguration was a “who’s who” of Nigerian leadership and tradition. Among the prominent figures in attendance were:

* Federal Representation: Vice President Kashim Shettima.

* Former Heads of State: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

* Diplomatic & Traditional Leaders: Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

With the formalities concluded, Soludo enters his final four-year stretch, carrying the mandate of the Anambra people through to 2030.