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Queen Thanks Nation for Its Goodwill as Jubilee Celebrations Begin

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By Derrick Bangura

An official photograph of the Queen has been released ahead of celebrations to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

The portrait, by Ranald Mackechnie, was taken in the Victoria Vestibule at Windsor Castle earlier this year.

In her Jubilee message the monarch thanked people for organising events to celebrate her milestone, saying “many happy memories” would be created.

Millions are gearing up for street parties to mark 70 years on the throne over the four-day bank holiday weekend.

There are also a series of official events starting with Thursday’s Trooping the Colour parade and ending on Sunday with a Jubilee Pageant through London.

The specially commissioned portrait pictures show the Queen looking contented, sitting on a cushioned window seat at the castle which has been her main home for the last couple of years. The historic residence’s famous Round Tower is visible in the distance.

Mr Mackechnie took two previous portraits of the Queen alongside the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge and Prince George to mark her 90th birthday in 2016.

In her Jubilee message the monarch said: “I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”

The traditional Trooping the Colour parade to mark the Queen’s official birthday will involve more than 1,500 officers and soldiers and 350 horses from the Household Division, as well as an RAF flypast.

The 96-year-old monarch, who has mobility issues and has recently cancelled several public appearances, is likely to join members of the Royal Family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to watch the display.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will watch the parade, although they will not appear on the balcony.

The couple, who now live in the US, will have a prime vantage point from the Duke of Wellington’s former office, overlooking Horse Guards Parade, where they will watch Prince Charles inspect the guardsmen and officers and take their salute in his mother’s place.

They are travelling with their children Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turns one on Saturday. Lilibet is the Queen’s family nickname.

The Queen’s son Prince Andrew, whose royal titles were returned to the Crown amid a lawsuit in the US, will not be present

On Thursday evening, more than 3,000 beacons will be lit across the UK and the Commonwealth in tribute to the Queen, with the Tree of Trees beacon illuminated outside the palace.

The monarch is to lead the lighting of the principal Jubilee beacon in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace said.

Also on Thursday the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall will guest star in an episode of TV soap EastEnders, on BBC One at 19:30 BST.

Prince Charles and Camilla join the residents of Albert Square at their jubilee street party.

At a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, there will be other accommodations made for the Queen’s comfort, with no ceremonial journey to the event.

If the monarch does attend, she will use a different entrance rather than scaling the steps.

And it is not certain she will make the planned trip to Epsom for the Derby on Saturday.

On that evening, the BBC’s Party at the Palace concert – set on three stages in front of Buckingham Palace – will see Diana Ross, George Ezra, Alicia Keys and Nile Rodgers entertain a live crowd of 22,000 people and a television audience of millions.

At the concert, heir to the throne Prince Charles and his son, the Duke of Cambridge, will pay tribute to the Queen who will be watching on television.

On Sunday there will be street parties, picnics and barbecues across the UK with more than 85,000 Big Jubilee Lunches planned.

The finale of the weekend will be the Jubilee Pageant which will make its way through the streets of the capital with a cast of 6,000 performers and close to 200 celebrities.

It will end with Ed Sheeran singing the national anthem with a choir made up of “national treasures” outside Buckingham Palace.

Ahead of the celebrations, the Queen took a short break at Balmoral Castle, in Aberdeenshire, but returned to Windsor on Tuesday.

Saturday is the first birthday of Harry and Meghan’s daughter Lilibet – who is named after the Queen’s family nickname.

The Queen’s granddaughter Princess Eugenie has led tributes to her in an article in the Spectator, describing her “grannie” as “a woman who has transcended time and has been that constant rock for so many when the world can feel so fragile”.

She said she would love her son August to “have her patience, her calmness and her kindness, while always being able to laugh at himself and keep a twinkle in his eye”.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon congratulated the monarch on a “lifetime of service” and urged all Scots to mark her “values of integrity, wisdom, justice and compassion” – regardless of their views on the British monarchy.

Not everyone will be celebrating the occasion. Anti-monarchy campaign group Republic said a recent poll had shown the British public “just aren’t that bothered about royal events”.

Speaking for the group, Graham Smith said: “The Jubilee is not a national celebration, it is a carefully staged event to promote the monarchy and the royal brand.”

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Headlines

Kano hospital board restates commitment to quality healthcare services

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Health: Nigeria needs N1trn annually to cater for vulnerable citizens

The Kano State Hospital Management Board has restated commitment to quality healthcare service delivery in the state.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Mansur Nagoda stated this during the inauguration of the state-wide hospital inspection exercise, on Monday in Kano.

He said the board in collaboration with the ministry of health would inspect healthcare facilities in urban and rural areas of the state.

Nagoda said the exercise aimed at encouraging positive attitudinal change among medical workers, to ensure that interventions were properly utilised.

He said the exercise would also guard against alleged hoarding and diversion of medical commodities provided by the state government.

“We are also paying unscheduled visits to health facilities to mainly assess their sanitary conditions and see how the services are being rendered.

“The major issues we largely concentrate on will include checking of staff roster for all cadres to know professional relationships among staff to avoid unwanted rivalry,” he said.

Nagoda said the state government had rolled out free delivery kits; free accident and emergency items, free cleansing items for general sanitation of facilities and maintenance of proper hygienic condition, among workers.

The gesture, he said, would provide succour and improve the welfare of patients in the state.

Some of the facilities visited include Murtala Muhammad Specialists Hospital; Muhammad Abdullahi Wase Teaching Hospital, Sir Muhammad Sanusi Specialist Hospital, Sheik Muhammad Jidda General Hospital, and Yadakunya General Hospital.

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Headlines

Davido, Ayra Starr, fans celebrate Tems’ Grammy win

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Nigerian music superstars, Davido, Ayra Starr and fans of sensational singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, have celebrated her for winning the highly coveted Best African Music Performance award at the 2025 Grammys.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tems made history at the 67th Grammy awards on Sunday in Los Angeles by clinching the Best African Music Performance for her song “Love Me Jeje.”

Notably, Tems was the only African artiste with three nominations across the global music categories; as her debut album, “Born in the Wild” was up for Best Global Music Album and Best R&B song for “Burning”.

She emerged victorious in a fierce competition, beating out strong nominees in the Nigerian-dominated category, including Burna Boy, Davido and Asake.

Other Nigerian stars nominated for the Grammys included Yemi Alade, Rema and Jordan Adetunji.

Tems who dedicated the award to her mother, said: “Dear God, thank you so much for putting me on this stage and bringing me this team.”

The feat has since generated abuzz on Social media, with excited fans and supporters of the singer sending her congratulatory messages.

Davido and Ayra Starr were also among artistes who sent her felicitations on their X pages for the Grammy big win.

Davido wrote: “Congratulations to my one and only @chrisbrown! And to the Queen @temsbaby weare proud of you!”

Ayra Star wrote: “Temssbabyyyyyyy congratulations my love!!!!”

Some elated fans and supporter of the “Love me Jeje” crooner also celebrate her.

@ekemini_kent wrote: “Congratulations Queen”

@ehis_goldtime wrote: “The game is still on congratulations Tems baby”

@NuJhayhne wrote: “congratulations to the queen of afrobeats completely deserved”

@Ivensplaisir wrote: “Tems is on fire. Her talent speaks volumes. African music is truly reaching new heights.”

@izrel1800 wrote: “The world knows there’s crack in this jam Tems. Well deserved”

@Rhaenyra729 wrote: “Cheers to Tems achievement”

@jaay4real wrote: “well deserved grammy, congratulations temilade”

@osidagoat wrote: “THE GREATEST AFRICAN FEMALE ARTISTE”

NAN reports that the award marks Tems second Grammy win, and she now has more Grammy awards than any other Nigerian artiste.

In 2023, she won the Best Melodic Rap Performance for the song ‘Wait for U’ with American hip-hop stars Future and Drake.

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Economy

Benue at 49: Governor Alia’s Vision for Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Growth

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Benue at 49: Governor Alia's Vision for Economic Prosperity and Infrastructure Growth

As Benue State celebrates its 49th anniversary, Governor Hyacinth Alia has emphasized his commitment to driving the state to unprecedented levels of economic prosperity and infrastructural development.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Makurdi, Alia outlined the significant reforms his administration has set in motion since he assumed office.

“Less than two years into our administration, we have achieved remarkable breakthroughs, unprecedented in the history of the state,” said Alia.

The governor highlighted key achievements, including the rollout of programs aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and agribusiness to ensure food security and improve livelihoods. “We have rehabilitated roads, opened new ones, constructed and fixed public facilities to make Benue more accessible, enhancing economic growth,” he stated.

Alia also underscored the administration’s focus on healthcare, pledging to advance healthcare facilities to ensure quality and accessible services for all citizens. “Our resolve is to take the state where every citizen experiences prosperity, security, and opportunity,” he added.

The governor stressed that achieving these goals requires the collective efforts of all Benue citizens. “This target cannot be achieved alone. It calls for the collaborative determination of all stakeholders, community leaders, traditional rulers, business owners, and our energetic youth. Together, the administration can build a future that mirrors our joint desires,” Alia urged.

As the state marks its 49th anniversary, the governor called on the people to remain steadfast in their commitment to promoting Benue’s growth. “I extend a hand of fellowship to all stakeholders to join hands with us in this noble endeavour,” he concluded.

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