The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has finally offset its debt of N450bn to the Federation Account, report says. In a report by Punch, the debt repayment was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mahmoud Isa-Dutse on Thursday. Dutse said, “As regards the NNPC repayment, the figure is zero because the NNPC has finished making the payment that they are supposed to make.” It was also reported that the N450billion indebtedness, which has been a subject of controversy since 2010, was fully repaid after much pressure by state governors, that led to the corporation agreeing to a monthly…
Author: David Folami
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) has successfully concluded the privatisation and reform of more than 142 public enterprises since its inception. Osinbajo said this in a statement signed by the Head, Public Communications, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Chukwumah Nwokoh in Abuja. The acting President spoke at the inauguration of the Fifth Council of the NCP. Osinbajo pointed out that the inauguration of the NCP was a critical step in the process of putting in place part of the institutional framework necessary for the actualisation of the socio-economic agenda of the administration.…
Manchester United have decided to “advance” efforts to sign Benfica full-back Nelson Semedo as Barcelona look set on moving for Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin instead, according to reports from Portugal. Reports earlier this season suggested that Semedo, who has just enjoyed his first campaign as Benfica’s main right back, had agreed a deal in principle with Man United ahead of the summer transfer window. Barcelona have also expressed an interest in Semedo but will place more emphasis on trying to secure Bellerin before making serious efforts to sign the 23-year-old. And according to Portuguese outlet O Jogo (via Sport Witness), United…
Jurgen Klopp has been chasing his No1 target for some time but the two clubs have struggled to come to an agreement over a fee. However, it appears Roma have now given ex-Chelsea winger Salah the green light to complete his return to the Premier League. But, there may be repercussions for the Blues and United as they hunt Salah’s team-mate Nainggolan. Express Sport understands Nainggolan is a key summer target for Jose Mourinho, who is among those being prioritised ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, Chelsea have long been linked with the Belgium international. According to Italian outlet CalcioMercato, United,…
Antonio Conte is pushing for Chelsea to secure Leonardo Bonucci or the unsettled Southampton centre-half Virgil van Dijk to boost the title winners’ defensive strength before next season’s return to the Champions League. Securing the arrival of either player would be far from straightforward, despite reports from Italy that Bonucci, whom Conte targeted last summer, could be permitted to leave Juventus. The Italy centre-half would cost in excess of £50m along with a hefty long-term contract and given that he is 30, his signing would represent a shift in Chelsea’s transfer policy if the board sanctioned a move. The Premier…
According to Telefoot, Tottenham, Liverpool and Juventus are all keen on Lemar, who was brilliant for Monaco last season, scoring 14 goals and assisting 17. The 21-year-old has apparently emerged as one of Arsene Wenger’s top transfer targets this summer as he looks to revamp his squad. However, the Frenchman will have his work cut out if he’s going to entice £25m Lemar to the red side of north London. Juventus, while interested, reportedly see Lemar as back-up if they don’t sign their main man Douglas Costa from Bayern Munich. Similarly, Liverpool are set to signing Roma winger, Mohamed Salah,…
Arsenal have been given encouragement in their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe as they prepare for an exodus of players this summer that will release funds from their wage-bill. Although Mbappe has a choice of major clubs in Europe should he decide to leave Monaco, he has indicated that he does regard Arsenal as a potentially viable solution at this early stage of his development, essentially because of manager Arsene Wenger and his track-record for nurturing young players. However, having already turned down a €120 million offer from Real Madrid, Monaco would now want around €130 or €140 million for the…
Manchester United target Fabinho has responded to rumours linking him with a summer switch to Old Trafford. The Monaco midfielder emerged as player Jose Mourinho was interested in a few weeks ago. And recent reports in Italy claimed a deal had been struck between the two clubs. Fabinho played a key role in Leonardo Jardim’s league winning side last season. Having made the transition from right-back to centre-midfield, the Brazilian flourished in a pairing with Tiemoue Bakayoko. The tough tackling 23-year-old made 50 appearances in all competitions last season, as Monaco reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Appearing on…
Alexis Sánchez became Chile’s all-time leading scorer when he scored an early goal in a 1-1 draw against Germany at the Confederations Cup on Thursday. Lars Stindl equalised for the world champions just before half-time to leave both teams level at the top of Group B with four points each from their opening two games, although Chile have the better goal difference. Australia and Cameroon have a point apiece after their 1-1 draw earlier on Thursday. The top two teams go through to the semi-finals and there is one round of matches in the group on Sunday, with Germany facing…
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is refusing to deviate from his prime pursuit of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. The Sun says United have an offer ready of £60m for Spain ace Morata, 24, and believe they can land him before they leave for their pre-season tour on July 9. That is paramount for boss Jose Mourinho who wants to work with him while they are at their Los Angeles training camp. Ex-Juve star Morata wants away from Real due to his lack of game time. United desperately need a new striker with Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic having agreed to…
Chelsea have agreed a fee of £35.2million with Monaco for Tiemoue Bakayoko. Blues boss Antonio Conte has made it clear he wants Bakayoko, 22, who made his debut for France last month. The midfielder enjoyed a fine season in the Monaco side that won Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League semi-finals. The midfielder has attracted a lot of significant interest this summer but it is understood that Chelsea have won the race to sign him. He joined Monaco from Rennes in 2014 and has improved year-on-year as a defensive midfielder. Bakayoko also made his first senior appearance for France…
Manchester United and Bayern Munich are still in the frame to land Romelu Lukaku, according to reports. The Belgian powerhouse has been linked with a move away from Everton ever since he refused to sign a new contract. Chelsea were the favourites to sign Lukaku but the Mirror are reporting that sources close to the player are saying no deal is close. Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is desperate to keep his star striker, who still has two years on his current contract. And that means the Blues could be forced into a bidding war that drives up Lukaku’s price over…
A cross section of workers in Ebonyi have urged the Federal Government to urgently inaugurate the 29-member committee on National Minimum Wage, so that it could begin negotiations on wage increase for workers. The workers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abakaliki, said that the current N18, 000 minimum wage was no longer feasible in view of the prevailing economic realities. They, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently inaugurate the committee comprising labour, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), representatives of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Federal Government. The respondents stressed…
The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 26, 2017, and Tuesday, June 27, 2017, as public holidays. According to Punch, this is to enable Muslims mark Eid-el-Fitr. The minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd.) made the announcement on Thursday, June 22, 2017, in Abuja. Dambazau also warned Nigerians to desist from promoting hate speeches, adding that every citizen has the right to live anywhere in the country. The minister of Interior said the Federal Government has the capability to deploy security forces to quash any form of violence. Dambazau also called on Muslims to use the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations to…
The Ondo State Government has promised to help the victims of the recent rainstorm in Akure and environs. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rain, which fell last Friday, wreaked havoc on some neighbourhoods in the state, particularly Akure and its environs. Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday pledged to help the victims when he visited the areas that were ravaged by the storm in Akure. The governor, who was represented by Mrs Margaret Atere, the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Council, said that the government was aware of the plight of the affected people. NAN reports that…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has recorded a total of N39.3billion deficit in approximately four months. According to a report by Punch, the monthly financial losses of the corporation since the beginning of this year continued in the month of April. The report states that figures from NNPC’s latest oil and gas financial report showed the NNPC Group losing a total of N39.3billion between January and April 2017. With a deficit of N33.99bn as at March 2017, the loss was increased by N5.3billion to close at N39.3billion in April 2017. The NNPC’s group financial report by entity allegedly showed that…
Over 300 houses were submerged after a flood wrecked havoc in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. This was confirmed in a statement by the South West Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Yakubu Suleiman. Areas heavily affected by the rain include Olodo, Oki, Akobo, Onipepeye, Kute, Eleyele and Ariyo. Suleiman also revealed that property worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the flood that got the attention of the state government. NEMA further disclosed that it is still collating the number of families displaced and the means of livelihood destroyed. The agency identified the major cause…
Over 67 percent of Nigerians, which amounts to over a hundred million poor families, cannot afford to pay hospital bills for treatment of illnesses such as malaria in public health facilities, Speaker Yakubu Dogara has disclosed. He added that if Nigeria must achieve its national health objective of providing health for all, a situation where poor and vulnerable families in Nigeria do not have access to basic health services must be addressed by extending the coverage of national health insurance to them. Dogara, who was speaking while declaring an investigative hearing to examine the compliance rate of Health Maintenance Organisations…
An Indonesian firm, PT Intim Perkasa Nigeria Ltd, a subsidiary of PT Intim Perkasa, Indonesia, on Wednesday indicated its interest to build a refinery in Nigeria. Mr Adi Hartadi, the Head of Investor Relations of the firm gave the indication at a business meeting with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru in Abuja. In a statement Mr Ndu Ughamadu, the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, said the Federal Government’s plan to attract investment in modular refineries as part of efforts to boost local refining capacity had started…
The Cross River Government has appealed to civil servants in the state to suspend the ongoing strike, having met all the demands of the workers. Speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Calabar, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Tina Agbor, urged the striking workers to consider the interest of the state and return to work. Agbor assured that no staff would be victimised for embarking on strike. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that on June 19, organised labour in the state embarked on indefinite strike to protest non-payment of gratuities, release of promotion letters, among others. Agbor,…