The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has assured Nigerians that the country would get out of economic recession latest by the end of June this year. This, according to him, is based on emerging positive economic indicators to that effect. Emefiele gave the assurance at the National Assembly Complex on Tuesday while fielding questions from journalists after a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Senate. He said one of the indicators was the downward trend in the parallel market as regards the value of Naira against the dollar which has appreciated from as higher…
Author: David Folami
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged a former State House doctor, Fortunate Fiberesima, to court over alleged money laundering. Fiberesima served as the chief executive officer of State House Medical Centre, Abuja. He was arraigned before Justice Peter Affen of the Federal Capital Territory high court sitting in Maitama on a six-count charge bordering on money laundering. The Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, April 25. In 2012, Fiberesima allegedly awarded contract to a company where he has interests. According to the statement, the accused…
Nigeria’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo On Tuesday, April 25, said Boko Haram is now working in alliance with the Islamic State (IS). The Abubakar Shekau-led terror group first pledged allegiance to ISIS in March 2015. Osinbajo called all countries affected by terrorist activities to also form a stronger force to tackle the “evil collaborations.” This is contained in a statement released by Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity. Osinbajo was said to have stated this while receiving the Bangladeshi Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Abu Belal Muhammad, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said in…
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has described the death of the first civilian Governor of Osun as shocking and saddening. Ndoma-Egba said this in a statement issued by Mrs Clara Braide, Special Assistant, Communication Office of the Chairman Governing Board of NDDC, on Tuesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), recalls that Adeleke died at Bikets Hospital in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, after suffering a heart attack according to family sources. Ndoma-Egba described Adeleke, who is also the All Progressives Congress (APC ),Senator representing Osun West Senatorial…
Manchester City reportedly made an initial enquiry about Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe, according to the Times, yet as quickly as they initiated talks, they appear to have come to an abrupt end. The Ligue 1 side apparently quoted £110 million for the 18-year-old, which has seen City drop their interest and begin to search elsewhere for summer recruitments. It remains to be seen if other potential suitors — most notably Real Madrid and Barcelona — will be willing to stump up the cash.
Mauricio Pochettino has accused Xavi Hernandez of doing Manchester City’s dirty work, saying the former Barcelona player “tried to destroy our focus” by suggesting Pep Guardiola likes Dele Alli. Xavi has said that Alli is the “type of player” wanted by Guardiola at Man City, and suggested they have the money to prize the PFA Young Player of the Year from Tottenham in the summer. Pochettino said that he had not seen Xavi’s comments but in a light-hearted attack, he questioned the character of the Spain legend, who remains close to Guardiola after playing with him and under him at…
La Liga’s authorities have given Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos a one-game suspension for the tackle on Lionel Messi that earned him a red card in Sunday’s Clasico. Ramos was shown a straight red by referee Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez after leaping in two-footed at Barcelona star Messi, who jumped out of the way to avoid serious contact. The official’s match report said the defender used “excessive force” in “knocking over his opponent,” though Madrid appealed and provided written evidence and video footage to say this did not accurately reflect what happened. But the competition committee of the RFEF, Spanish football’s…
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said his team had tasted some of their own medicine after Villarreal snatched a late 1-0 win in Tuesday’s night’s La Liga clash at the Estadio Vicente Calderon. Villarreal goalkeeper Andres Fernandez was the game’s stand-out player, saving from Antoine Griezmann, Saul Niguez, Angel Correa, Nico Gaitan and Jose Maria Gimenez as the home side dominated territory but could not find a way through. With just eight minutes left the visitors hit the front on a rare attack when substitute Roberto Soriano bundled home a cross from fellow replacement Cedric Bakambu to stun the Calderon.…
Marcus Rashford has told the Daily Telegraph he hopes Zlatan Ibrahimovic will extend his stay at Manchester United so he can continue to learn from him. Ibrahimovic’s future is in doubt after he suffered a knee ligament injury that has ended his season, and the 35-year-old has flown to the United States for surgery. Rashford is set to benefit from the Swedish striker’s absence, getting a chance to play in his favoured striker’s role. But the 19-year-old said he hoped Ibrahimovic’s time at United was not over because he has not finished learning from a man who has scored more…
Jose Mourinho insists he “doesn’t care” if his Manchester United players do not like his public criticism of them and said he feels this season can be the first of several “better years” at Old Trafford. Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Chris Smalling have all had dressing-downs from Mourinho this season. But the United manager insists his methods are for the good of the team — and asked the players who are falling short of his standards to once again follow the example set by Marcus Rashford. He told Sky Sports: “I don’t care. I just try to…
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure would prefer to play “without a referee” in Thursday’s derby with Manchester United after criticising the standard of officiating in the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal. Referee Craig Pawson ruled out Sergio Aguero’s first-half strike at Wembley. Replays suggested the goal should have stood and City went on to lose the game 2-1 after extra time. “I think the referees have to stop this,” said Toure. “I am very disappointed. It is not the first time, there have been a couple of times. “Maybe on Thursday we are going to have a better referee…
The Presidency has ordered the recall of the Correspondent of Punch Newspapers, Olalekan Adetayo, attached to the State House, Abuja, barely 10 hours after his expulsion from the beat. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, confirmed this development in a message addressed to the Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Malam Ubale Musa. The presidential spokesman revealed that the recall of Adetayo followed the intervention of the Director-General of the Department for State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura. According to him, his office and that of the Special Adviser to the President…
A staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Fidelia Omoile, has been remanded in prison by a Federal High Court over an alleged N112.4million bribe. In a report by SaharaReporter, Omoile was remanded in custody after she was arraigned by the EFCC for a two-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering. Omoile had reportedly served as an INEC official in Isoko South Local Government Area during the 2015 presidential election, where she allegedly got a bribe of N112,480,000. The EFCC had alleged that Omoile is one of the 100 INEC officials to receive bribes from ex-Minister of…
A 33,000 litres tanker of diesel has reportedly crashed on a BMW car in Charity area of Oshodi, Lagos on Monday, April 24, 2017. The crash involving the tanker with registration number TUT 258 XA and the BMW car with registration number LSD 462 CZ had reportedly led to the spillage of diesel which ignited an inferno. The incident was confirmed by Kehinde Adebayo, spokesman of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). Adebayo in a statement said that though the tanker which belongs to Bovas Petroleum had its content spilled, no life was lost in the inferno. He also…
Madam Ewurama Aggrey, mother of multiple award-winning rapper, Sarkodie, has dispelled rumours that her son will be walking down the aisle soon. The rapper’s mother noted that while Sarkodie will definitely marry, he has not communicated any such intentions to her yet. It was reported recently that Sarkodie, after dating his girlfriend, Tracy, for over 10 years and having a daughter (Titi) with her, has finally set a date for the wedding. Sarkodie and his girlfriend welcomed Adalyn Owusu Addo fondly called Titi on March 28, 2016. According to the reports, the rapper and Tracy would be walking down the…
Burna Boy releases another single of the year following ‘Halleluyah’, this titled ‘Boshe nlo’. The singer who enjoyed a good performance and reception at the April 15 held Gidi Fest Lagos 2017 music showcase is singing about the good life in the visuals and advocating well for it. Burna has also announced the title of his next album as “Outside”. The singer last year released an EP titled “Redemption”. The tune’s produced by usual suspect Leriq ‘Call the paramedic’, and visuals courtesy Geezy for Aristokrat Vision Production. Enjoy viewing.
Beyoncé and Jay Z have put in a $120 million bid for a stunning hilltop Bel Air mansion that boasts four pools, eight bedrooms — and even bulletproof windows. As Beyoncé prepares to give birth to twins, she and Jay are planning to move their family to Los Angeles from New York in search of more privacy. They have bid on the breathtaking newly constructed mansion at 454 Cuesta Way in Bel Air’s private East Gate area. The place, which is being sold off-market for an asking price of $135 million, has just been completely remodeled from the ground up,…
Hugo Lloris insists Tottenham still believe they can win the Premier League despite the shattering blow of their FA Cup semi-final defeat against title rivals Chelsea. Mauricio Pochettino’s side left Wembley broken hearted on Saturday after dominating for long periods before conceding two late goals in a dramatic 4-2 loss. The psychological damage inflicted on Tottenham’s players can’t be underestimated and they have little time to recover as the title race heats up this week. Second placed Tottenham are four points behind Chelsea, but the leaders can extend the gap to seven if they beat Southampton at Stamford Bridge on…
Laurent Koscielny believes Arsenal’s defensive rethink can help drive Arsene Wenger’s side to a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Gunners will face reigning champions Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday buoyed by their FA Cup semi-final success against Manchester City that set up a Wembley final with Chelsea. Sunday’s last-four victory followed Arsenal’s win the previous week at Middlesbrough when the under fire Wenger responded to his side’s alarming dip in form by changing to a three-man backline. Now, having registered back to back victories with his new line-up, Wenger is likely to stick with the…
Leonardo Jardim’s Monaco hold the edge over Paris Saint-Germain in the French title race, but the reigning champions haven’t given up hope of landing a third successive sweep of the domestic trophies. PSG thrashed Monaco 4-1 at the start of April to retain the French League Cup, and with the principality club prioritising Europe and Ligue 1, Unai Emery’s side will again fancy their chances in Wednesday’s French Cup semi-final. “This semi-final is an encounter between two very important matches, with only two days’ rest each time,” said Monaco boss Jardim, whose side lead PSG on goal difference with a…