Rotimi Amaechi on Friday warned that if the youths of Niger Delta don’t stop militancy, it could lead to under-development of the region in the future. Amaechi said this at the sideline of the inspection of the Dualisation of the East-West road in Rivers on Friday. He urged the youths in the region to be peaceful and stop kidnapping those on assignment to develop the region. The minister explained that the issue of kidnapping of contractors on site was prominent in the region compared to other regions, which had increased the engagement of security personnel on site projects and cost.…
Author: David Folami
Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over an alleged plot by President Muhammadu Buhari to frame him for a crime in a bid to silence his criticism of his administration. The former president made the sensational claim in a press statement signed by his spokesperson, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Friday, June 8, 2018. Obasanjo alleged that Buhari’s administration has an active plan to indefinitely detain him by using false witnesses and documents to frame him. According to him, he caught wind of the plot after he was tipped off by several reliable security sources who have told him that he’s on a…
The Chief Imam of Area 10 Juma’at Mosque in Garki, Abuja, Sheikh Yahya Al-Yolawi, has advised Muslims to give Zakatil-fitr (charity) to only the poor and the needy in the society. Al-Yolawi gave the advice in his Friday sermon titled “Last 10 Days of Ramadan and Eid Preparation” in Abuja. According to him, the poor and needy are the most deserving beneficiaries of Zakatil-fitr. He explained that the purpose of Zakatil-fitr was to purify the one who had fasted from any type of indecent act or speech he or she might have committed while fasting. He said Prophet Muhammad (peace…
President Muhammadu Buhari has signed a constitutional amendment that stops a vice president who completes the term of a president from contesting for the office of the President more than once. This is also the same for a deputy governor who completes the term of a state governor. Buhari signed the amendment on Friday, June 8, 2018. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday. A president or a governor’s term can be aborted by virtue of death, resignation or removal,…
All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged President Muhammadu to honour Kudirat, wife of MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. APC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, gave charge in a statement made available to us on Friday, June 8, 2018. The APC commended President Buhari over the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day and the subsequent conferment of the posthumous award of Nigeria’s highest national honour — Grand Commander of the Federal Republic. The ruling party noted that Kudirat had paid the supreme price with her assassination in Lagos on June 4, 1996. The APC wants…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s new Democracy Day to honour late Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of 1993 presidential election. The President also conferred posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) on the late politician 20 years after his death. But the PDP said the Buhari is only using Abiola’s name to gain “political capital”. The spokesman for the opposition party, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the President’s move showed “smacks of hypocrisy and political desperation ahead of 2019 presidential election”. “President Buhari’s action merely sought to use the…
The declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in honour of Chief MKO Abiola will not be complete without Nigerians knowing the result of the election, the Senate has said. The decision of the Senate was sequel to a motion by Ekiti state lawmaker, Biodun Olujimi, on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Chief Abiola was presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election but till date, the result has not been fully announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Olujimi, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to honour Abiola for his…
Honorable Yusuf Lasun, has told anyone who cares to listen that he’s the next governor of Osun State. Lasun declared his intention to contest the September 22 governorship election in Osun state on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Thursday, June 7, 2018. Addressing a crowd of his supporters at the secretariat of the party in Osogbo, Yusuf said the people of Osun State are ready to hand him their votes as the next governor of Osun State. Lasun reiterated the need for a free, fair and transparent primary election and appealed to the party leadership not…
Senator Dino Melaye has slammed the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC) as a sick party that may have a problem with Nigerians. The senator has had a troubled past few months with the party as he’s completely fallen out with Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello who is a close ally of President Muhammadu Buhari. Melaye believes his strong criticism of Bello and the federal government is how he has ended up with three criminal cases and a couple of failed assassination attempts on his life. When asked if he has a problem with his party, he said, “I don’t have a…
Enyinnaya Abaribe has said that December 31 should be declared as “democracy destruction day” as it was the day the Muhammadu Buhari military government unseated ex-President Shehu Shagari in a coup. He said this in reaction to the posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) conferred on Moshood Abiola, presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election. Speaking at the plenary on Thursday, June 7, during a debate on a motion regarding the Abiola honour, Abaribe said that the Presidency needs to “quickly” send an amendment to the Honours Act for the award to be proper and legal.…
Gareth Southgate admitted Marcus Rashford had given him a difficult decision to make ahead of the World Cup with a stunning strike in a 2-0 friendly victory over Costa Rica on Thursday. In England’s last match before their tournament opener against Tunisia in 11 days time, Manchester United’s Rashford was the star of a much-changed side in Leeds. Danny Welbeck was also on target as England extended their unbeaten run to 10 games, stretching back nearly a year. “What pleased me most is that Marcus Rashford enjoyed his football tonight. He played with a real swagger,” said Southgate. Rashford made…
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang has stated that he will support the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles kits for the World Cup released by international sport wear giants Nike has generated a lot of reactions worldwide, topping the rankings of jerseys of countries going to the tournament. Ina message on his official Twitter handle Aubameyang revealed he will be supporting the Super Eagles at the tournament. He added two reasons for supporting the Eagles, first, he said for his teammate Iwobi and the other for the amazing kits. His tweet read, “I support Nigeria for World…
Nabil Fekir is set to become Liverpool’s latest signing in a £53 million ($71 million, 60 million euro) deal, according to British press reports on Thursday. Looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the Champions League final last month, Liverpool have already bolstered their midfield options for next season with the arrivals of Fabinho from Monaco and Naby Keita, in a deal agreed with RB Leipzig last summer. Fekir, who can play in both midfield or attack, is set to fill the creative void left by the January departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. The 24-year-old is part…
After a career laden with belts, cash and kudos, boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr retired undefeated over 50 fights — but his flawless record faces an unlikely challenge from an obscure Thai fighter known as the “dwarf giant”. At 5ft 2in (1.57m) and weighing just 105lb (47.6kg), minimumweight Wanheng Menayothin is shorter, leaner and significantly less wealthy than Mayweather, who briefly emerged from retirement last year to fight MMA star Conor McGregor for a $100 million purse. If Wanheng triumphs on Wednesday afternoon he will equal Mayweather’s feat of winning 50 successive fights. His WBC minimumweight belt is on the…
Juventus confirmed on Thursday they have activated the 40 million euro ($47 million) purchase clause to make Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa’s move to Italy permanent. The 27-year-old initially moved to Turin on loan for six million euros last summer with a 40 million euro option to buy. And the Brazilian was one of the key players for Massimiliano Allegri as the club wrapped up a seventh straight Serie A title and fourth Italian Cup in a row. “Juventus have exercised the option for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich for €40 million…
Amaju Pinnick has stated that Arsenal star Chuba Akpom is excited to commit to the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Akpom who was born in Canning Town, England is of Nigerian descent which makes him eligible to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The 22-year-old came through the different youth setups for the England national team but is yet to make an appearance for the senior team in a friendly or competitive encounter. The NFF president praised his potential and stated his readiness to play for the Super Eagles unlike Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham who turned down the opportunity. Pinnick…
Gernot Rohr has banned goat meat and pepper soup for his players as they prepare for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles are camped in Austria where they are intensifying preparations for the tournament before they travel to Russia. Consecutive losses to England and the Czech Republic have raised doubts among supporters on the team’s chances at the tournament. Rohr is however intent on keeping his players in good condition for the tournament which includes restriction of certain meals for the players. In an interview with Omasports, Rohr stated that the Super Eagles players will not be permitted…
Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has been paid N32m ($15,000) for guiding Nigeria to qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Rohr led the Super Eagles to four wins and two draws (one of the draws was ruled to be a loss as punishment for fielding a suspended player) during the group stage of the qualifiers. The German was appointed coach of the Super Eagles in August 2016 after they had progressed to the group stage of the qualifiers. For each game of the qualifiers, the 64-year-old earned N5m ($15,000) while his assistants received N3.6m ($10,000) per game.…
Sunday Oliseh will receive N10.8m ($30,000) for Nigeria’s qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Oliseh was coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria from June 2015 to February 2016 when he resigned abruptly after falling out with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). Before his resignation, Oliseh led the Super Eagles to two games of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the two-legged second preliminary matches against Swaziland. For those two games, the former Super Eagles midfielder will receive N10.8m ($30,000). The money is part of the $8m the NFF are getting from FIFA for Nigeria’s qualification of the World…
Harry Kane gave a huge boost to Tottenham Hotspur on Friday by signing a new six year contract through to 2024 with the Premier League club. The 24-year-old striker scored a personal best 41 goals this season and had been mentioned as a possible target for European champions Real Madrid with other clubs also lurking in the wings. Some had speculated Kane would want a move away so he could win some silverware as despite Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino gaining plaudits for the attractive style of football they play they are yet to win a trophy under him since he…