Members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect have reportedly killed a soldier in a suicide and gun attack on a military checkpoint outside the city of Maiduguri. This was reportedly confirmed by a military officer and vigilante, according to a report published by Punch. Two male suicide bombers reportedly detonated their explosives at a checkpoint in Dalori, near a camp for internally displaced people on Wednesday evening, April 12, 2017. It was further reported that while the suicide attack took place, other militants opened fire on the checkpoint, killing a soldier and injuring a policeman. “We lost a soldier in…
Author: David Folami
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism on the safe return of the remaining 195 abducted Chibok schoolgirls from their Boko Haram captors. In a statement to commemorate the three-year abduction of the Chibok girls on Thursday, April 13, 2017, President noted that the federal government would do everything necessary to ensure their rescue. Buhari maintained that his administration has successfully degraded the Boko Haram terrorist sect. The president noted that his administration would ‘bend over backwards’ to ensure the safe return of the remaining Chibok girls. We were determined to secure the release of the Chibok girls and others forcefully…
The Ogun and Ondo State Governments on Thursday met to resolve the boundary issues between the people of Atijere in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo and Makun-Omi in Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun. The meeting, which took place at the Government House in Abeokuta, had in attendance the deputy governor of Ondo State, Chief Agboola Ajayi, and his counterpart in Ogun, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Ajayi gave an assurance that people living in both communities would soon realise that they had no reason to fight each other. Ajayi said that the informal meeting was…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said some of its staff accused of benefitting from a N3.4 billion bribe money in the 2015 general elections have refunded their share. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, disclosed this when he visited the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, in Abuja. A statement by spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, quoted the INEC chairman as saying that 70 of the affected staff in three states were still in denial. Yakubu, according to Uwujaren, said they would be referred to the EFCC for…
Comptroller Yusuf Bashir, the Customs Area Controller of Tin-Can Island Customs Command, has told Mr Abba Aliyu, who was promoted from Grade Level 4 to Grade Level 8 to see his elevation as a result of additional education. Bashar said this while decorating newly-promoted officers of the command on Thursday in Lagos. He said that it took Aliyu three years to earn a degree, adding that this had elevated him to a higher level. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aliyu was promoted from the rank of Customs Assistant 1 to Assistant Superintendent of Customs 2. Bashar said…
Romelu Lukaku will not sign a new contract with Everton, according to manager Ronald Koeman. Lukaku’s future at Everton is in doubt following an interview he gave last month in which he said he has already decided his plans for the end of the season. Speaking ahead of Everton’s Premier League game against Burnley at the weekend, Koeman said the Belgium international, who is contracted until 2019, will not sign a new deal making a transfer a strong possibility. “He is doing really well. He’s a great finisher,” Koeman said. When asked if he was aware of the striker’s plans…
Mesut Ozil has said that Arsenal’s priority is securing a top-four finish and that his future, along with that of manager Arsene Wenger and teammate Alexis Sanchez, must be put on hold for the good of the club. There has been speculation that Ozil and Sanchez, who will both enter the final year of their contracts in the summer, could depart, while fans have protested for Wenger to leave following the club’s poor form. Arsenal are sixth in the Premier League following a run of two wins in eight games, and Ozil told Sky Sports that improving their standing must…
Antoine Griezmann has no need to leave Atletico Madrid and “has the world in his hands” at the club, strike partner Fernando Torres has told the BBC’s Football Focus. Griezmann’s adviser claimed last week that Real Madrid — along with Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona — had asked about his availability. And at the weekend, L’Equipe reported that a “secret plan” would see Griezmann remain at Atletico for one more year before joining Real next summer. But Torres said the France international should stay where he is because Atletico have everything he needs. After watching Griezmann score the…
Jose Mourinho faulted Manchester United’s forwards for Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal first-leg draw with Anderlecht, saying they must develop a killer instinct. United looked likely to go into the second leg at Old Trafford with a 1-0 lead thanks to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first-half strike before Leander Dendoncker scored late to frustrate the Premier League side. Dendoncker’s header was the only shot on target of the game for the hosts, and while Mourinho called his back line “very solid,” he was less complimentary of his forwards for not providing a larger cushion. “We have to kill matches,” Mourinho told BT Sport.…
Cristiano Ronaldo has said he never imagined he would become the first player to score 100 European goals when he first started out, but he is thrilled and honoured to have achieved the feat. Ronaldo, 32, reached the milestone after netting twice to lead Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback victory over Bayern Munich in Wednesday’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg. The Portugal international was presented with a commemorative shirt by Real president Florentino Perez on Thursday to mark the accomplishment, and told the club’s official website: “It’s a great honour to reach 100 goals in Europe. Yesterday was a…
It’s safe to assume that Jose Mourinho would have had Manchester United’s Old Trafford clash with Chelsea this Sunday highlighted as a massive day from the moment that the Premier League fixtures were published last June. However, the United manager would not have expected the encounter with his former club to end up as nothing more than an inconvenience sandwiched in between the two biggest games of his team’s season. But after seeing United throw away a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 against Anderlecht in Brussels in Thursday’s Europa League quarterfinal first leg, next week’s return fixture has unquestionably become…
Nigerian star singer Davido is taking shots at his critics who say he has too many baby mamas. In an interview with Guardian Life Magazine, Davido said people who are criticising him are hypocrites. “All those people out there saying I have too many babies, do you know how many babies they have killed? At least I can confidently say I have never told any girl to have an abortion” said Davido in the interview. “I am not saying having a baby without marriage is good, but to me babies are blessings” he further said. Davido also spoke about the…
When it comes to Dele Alli, there is no rush. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder turned 21 on Tuesday and he has plenty of time to win trophies and personal accolades. Indeed, he is a shoo-in to retain the PFA Young Player of the Year award, having been confirmed on this season’s shortlist alongside teammate Harry Kane, and he could conceivably win it five years in a row. Burnley’s Michael Keane is also among the nominees, with Romelu Lukaku, Jordan Pickford and Leroy Sane. Even so, it’s an incredible injustice that Alli was not named as a contender for the senior…
Senator Florence Ita-Giwa says that she has been disconnected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since the 2015 general elections. Ita-Giwa made the comment following her defection from the opposition party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week. “First of all, I have been emotionally disconnected from PDP long before the General Elections because of impunity and the way the party trampled upon innocent human beings and killed people’s ambitions,” she said via a post on Instagram. “It was not about me and it’s still not about me. I even went to the then president and leader of the…
President Muhammadu Buhari says that the Federal Government will do everything within its capacity to secure the freedom of the remaining Chibok schoolgirls in captivity of Boko Haram. The President, who said this in a message to mark the 3rd anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls on April 14, noted that the administration was willing to bend over backwards to make the abductors of the girls release them. According to him, the Federal Government has engaged local and international intermediaries in reaching out to members of Boko Haram for the safe release of the Chibok girls. “Like I…
American music star Alicia Keys has won the prestigious Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award for 2017. Alicia Keys has released a statement on her latest award. “To receive the Ambassador of Conscience award from Amnesty International is a huge honour. Especially as an activist, as a woman, here in this world, who is driven to recognise the injustice in the world and recognise the unfairness the inequality, the things that have to change, the ways that we as everyday people, all of us, have a part to play in that. It is one of the most proud moments of…
Chelsea have failed with an £85 million bid for Torino striker Andrea Belotti, according to reports in Italy. Tuttosport claim that the Premier League leaders have offered £51m up front along with another £34m in add-ons related to appearances, goals, Champions League qualification and trophies. But Torino have rejected Chelsea’s approach and are instead holding out for a club who are willing to pay the Italy international’s £85m release clause in full. Belotti is reportedly high on Antonio Conte’s summer shortlist as the Italian looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of Chelsea’s campaign in the Champions League next season.…
Today is Omawumi’s birthday and her best friend, Waje has some sweet words for her. Waje took to Instagram full of words of appreciation for a friend she met in 2009. She wrote, “I met her in 2009 and we connected immediately, so many years, many fights, many tears and laughter, yab and hailings….. husband, children and so many beautiful things I thank God for cos you are an example of that virtuous woman who burns her candle while everyone is asleep. I learn daily from you. Never afraid to tell me the truth. You ve taught me so much…
Omawumi Megbele, born April 13, 1982, popularly known as Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. Born to Chief Dr. Frank and Mrs. Aya Megbele, Omawumi attended Nana Primary School during her pupilage, and later attended the College of Education Demonstration Secondary School. She graduated from Ambrose Alli University with a Law degree. After graduating in 2005, she moved to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where she worked with her family’s law firm called “O.S Megbele & Associates”. She also studied French at Alliance Francaise. Omawumi rose to prominence as a contestant on Idols West Africa. Since then, she has…
Nollywood actress Chika Ike shared this beautiful portrait of herself. Shot by Ty Bello, Chika Ike wrote praises towards God alongside the stunning shot. “I bow in awe of God…. He has shown me immeasurable blessings, unmerited Favour and Divine grace. He has continuously proven that he is God and comforted me when I was at my lowest point…. Even with my flaws and imperfections he loved me before my birth…. Most times I can’t wrap my head around how much he loves and cares for me. It just keeps getting better against all odds…. when he chooses to bless…