Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Liverpool Strengthen Title Push With Comeback Win Against Leicester. Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points with a determined 3-1 victory over struggling Leicester City at Anfield. Despite Leicester’s recent poor form, which included five defeats in seven matches, the visitors shocked the home crowd early on when Jordan Ayew found the net with a sharp finish in the sixth minute. Liverpool endured a frustrating first half as Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah both struck the woodwork. However, just before the break, Cody Gakpo levelled the score with a sublime curling…

Elanga Shines As Forest Climb To Third In Premier League. Nottingham Forest’s resurgence under Nuno Espírito Santo reached new heights as Anthony Elanga’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory over Tottenham, propelling Forest to third place in the Premier League. Elanga’s goal marked his third in consecutive games, extending Forest’s winning streak to four matches in the top flight for the first time since 1995. This victory also gave manager Nuno his first win against his former club, Tottenham, since his departure three years ago. Nuno’s tenure at Tottenham ended abruptly in 2021, but his work at Forest…

UN Health Chief Caught in Yemen Airport Air Strikes Amid Escalating Conflict. The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and other UN staff were at Sanaa International Airport on Thursday during a series of Israeli air strikes, which reportedly claimed six lives. The Houthi-run Saba news agency stated that three people were killed and 30 injured at the airport, with another three fatalities and ten injuries reported in Hodeidah province. The air strikes, which also targeted power stations and ports, have been condemned as “barbaric” by the Iran-backed Houthi rebel group. Dr…

Clashes Erupt In Syria As Assad Loyalists Resist New Leadership. Syria’s new ruling authorities have reported the deaths of 14 interior ministry troops in an ambush by loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The incident occurred near Tartous, a stronghold of the Alawite Muslim sect to which Assad and many of his former regime’s elite belonged. The ambush marks the first significant challenge to the authority of Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, since his Islamist faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led a swift offensive that toppled Assad’s regime earlier this month. In response, Syrian state forces…

Super Eagles B Set Sights On Victory In CHAN Qualifier Against Ghana. The stand-in Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles B team, Daniel Ogunmodede, has emphasised the team’s unwavering focus on victory as they prepare to face Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the second leg of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. The crucial match is scheduled for Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. Following a goalless draw in Accra last Sunday, the decider is finely balanced, with both regional rivals aiming for a spot in the CHAN finals set to take place in East Africa from 1…

Protests Erupt Across Syria Following Burning Of Christmas Tree. Widespread protests have erupted in Syria after a Christmas tree was set ablaze in Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in central Syria. The incident, captured on video and shared widely on social media, shows masked individuals pouring an unidentified liquid on the tree in the town’s main square before it was engulfed in flames on Christmas Eve. The arson attack has caused outrage among Syria’s Christian community, who viewed it as a direct affront to their faith and traditions. Although the perpetrators’ intent remains unclear, with speculation about whether they…

Akeredolu’s Widow Criticises Ondo Governor Over Planned Memorial Lecture.  Betty Akeredolu, widow of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of attempting to exploit her husband’s legacy for financial gain. The controversy arose over a memorial lecture scheduled by the Ondo State Government as part of activities to commemorate the first anniversary of Akeredolu’s death on 27 December 2023. The lecture, set to take place on Friday in Akure, was announced with renowned lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) as the keynote speaker and Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa as the chairman of the Akeredolu Leadership…

Federal Government Allocates N6 Billion For Ajaokuta Steel Workers In 2025 Budget The Federal Government has earmarked ₦6.21 billion for the salaries of workers at the dormant Ajaokuta Steel Company in the proposed 2025 budget, reflecting a 44.76% increase from the ₦4.29 billion allocated in 2024. This substantial allocation comes despite the company’s longstanding inactivity, with no steel production achieved since its establishment in 1979. The Ajaokuta Integrated Steel Complex was envisioned as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s industrialisation, designed to host a metallurgical process plant, engineering facilities, and auxiliary units capable of generating extensive economic activity. At its…

Minister Endorses Charity Football Match To Raise Cancer Awareness. The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has thrown his support behind an international charity football match aimed at raising awareness about cancer in Nigeria. During a meeting with the Main Organising Committee (MOC) at the Federal Secretariat, Salako praised the initiative, describing it as a significant and commendable project. He emphasised the importance of prevention and awareness in tackling the challenges posed by cancer, stating, “This is a noble and laudable initiative. Our efforts should be directed towards prevention and creating awareness. This project…

Labour Party Highlights Economic Challenges Facing Nigerians During Christmas. The Labour Party (LP) has expressed concern over the economic challenges affecting many Nigerians, leaving several households unable to partake in the 2024 Christmas celebrations. In a heartfelt message, LP’s National Chairman, Barr Julius Abure, highlighted the plight of millions of citizens struggling below the poverty line. The statement, delivered by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on society to embrace compassion and show love to those in need during this festive season. Abure said, “It will interest you to know that not many homes in Nigeria…

Zelensky Condemns ‘Inhumane’ Christmas Day Missile Attacks In Ukraine. Russia launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, an act Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a “conscious choice” to cause devastation during the festive season. More than 70 missiles and 100 drones were reportedly fired during the assault, with Ukraine’s air defences managing to intercept and destroy over 50 of the missiles. The attacks led to widespread power outages across the country, including parts of Kyiv, leaving millions of Ukrainians grappling with bitterly cold temperatures without reliable energy supply. Residents…

Federal Government Commends Customs Service For Generating ₦5 Trillion In 2024. The Federal Government has lauded the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for its remarkable performance in generating approximately ₦5 trillion in revenue by September 2024. Speaking at the 61st meeting of the NCS Board in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, described the achievement as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal recovery. He highlighted that this success bolsters the government’s ability to fund critical social and infrastructural programmes. Mr Edun attributed the revenue feat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s…