Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Northern Governors And Senators Divided Over Tinubu’s Proposed Tax Reforms. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms have stirred division within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly among northern state governors and members of the National Assembly. While some leaders support the reforms, a faction led by governors from the North-West and North-East regions is reportedly working to halt their implementation. According to sources, the opposition bloc includes seven governors from the North-West, six from the North-East, and two from the North-Central region. This coalition of governors is rallying National Assembly members to resist the reforms, with traditional and religious leaders…

Tinubu Government Allocates N5 Billion For Renovations Of Vice President’s Lagos Residence Amid Economic Challenges. Amidst Nigeria’s economic hardships and rising inflation, the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reportedly allocated ₦5 billion for the renovation of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s official residence in Lagos. This decision has sparked discussions and drawn criticism from advocacy groups concerned about government spending priorities. The Federal Government passed a ₦2.17 trillion supplementary budget in November 2023, initially earmarking ₦3 billion for the renovation of the vice president’s Lagos residence and an additional ₦2.5 billion for refurbishments at his official…

Jose Mourinho Receives One-Match Ban And Fine Following Post-Match Outburst. José Mourinho, the current Fenerbahçe manager, has been handed a one-match ban and a fine of approximately £15,000 for his conduct following Fenerbahçe’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor. The match saw a dramatic stoppage-time goal from Sofyan Amrabat, after which Mourinho rushed onto the pitch in celebration, attempting a knee slide before later unleashing a fiery critique of the refereeing standards in Turkey. Mourinho, who has previously managed Chelsea and Manchester United, expressed his frustration over what he described as unfair officiating, specifically criticising the impartiality of match officials.…

Ruud Van Nistelrooy Open To Manchester United Manager Role In Future, Ready To Return As Assistant. Former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has expressed his long-term ambition to become the permanent manager of the club, though he is prepared to step back into his role as assistant coach when Ruben Amorim takes charge on Monday. Van Nistelrooy, who returned to Old Trafford this summer as part of Erik ten Hag’s coaching team, assumed the interim manager role following Ten Hag’s dismissal on 28 October. Under Van Nistelrooy’s temporary leadership, United have seen a boost in performance, winning two…

US Secretary Of State Blinken Pledges Smooth Transition Ahead Of Trump Presidency. With just over two months remaining in his role, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured State Department staff of a “smooth, efficient and professional” transition of power following Donald Trump’s recent election victory. In an internal email shared with staff on Friday and obtained by the BBC, Blinken highlighted the importance of a seamless handover, calling it an “essential element of any democracy” and “vital” to national security. Blinken expressed pride in the department’s commitment to democracy, noting, “We work all over the globe to…

House Republicans Demand Records From Special Counsel Jack Smith Amidst Trump Victory. House Republicans have turned their attention to Special Counsel Jack Smith, who currently leads high-profile criminal cases against former U.S. President Donald Trump. However, with Trump’s recent electoral victory, Smith’s role may shift from prosecuting Trump to navigating a challenging transition as the former president returns to power. Smith’s case against Trump over alleged election interference is now on hold, as he assesses the future of this prosecution. Trump’s anticipated return to the presidency would put him in control of the Department of Justice, which supervises Smith’s…

Political Parties Sign Peace Accord Ahead Of Ondo Gubernatorial Election. In a historic move towards promoting peaceful elections in Nigeria, eighteen political parties in Ondo State, South West Nigeria, have signed a Peace Accord, pledging to ensure a violence-free gubernatorial election. The parties also committed to accepting the outcome of the upcoming polls, provided they are deemed free and fair. The agreement, aimed at fostering a peaceful and democratic election process, was brokered by the National Peace Committee. General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Chairman of the committee, addressed party representatives, urging them to uphold democratic principles and resist any form of vote…

Canada Prepares For Potential Influx Of Asylum Seekers Amidst Trump’s Deportation Plans. As  U.S. elected President Donald Trump reinforces his commitment to deport millions of individuals residing illegally in the United States, Canadian authorities are gearing up for a possible surge of asylum seekers at the border. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that contingency planning has been underway for several months, anticipating a rise in irregular migration should Trump secure his position. RCMP Sergeant Charles Poirier spoke to the media regarding these preparations, emphasising the need for readiness. “We recognised several months ago that we had to…

Nigeria Secures Regional Support For United Nations Security Council Bid. Nigeria has gained strong backing from several West African nations in its bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), following a successful shuttle diplomacy mission led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar. In a press briefing held on Thursday, Tuggar shared insights from his recent visits to Togo, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, and Côte d’Ivoire. Leaders in each nation expressed their support, acknowledging Nigeria’s qualifications to represent the African continent at a global level. “Everywhere we went, we had the opportunity to discuss…

Former Super Eagles Star Victor Nsofor Embarks On Coaching Journey, Inspired By Mourinho. Former Super Eagles striker Victor Obinna Nsofor has officially embarked on a coaching career, a decision he confirmed recently. In an interview with The Washington Post,  Nsofor spoke highly of Portuguese manager José Mourinho, who he regards as the best coach he’s ever worked with and whom he aims to emulate in his own coaching journey. Nsofor, who retired after playing his final professional season with Cape Town City in South Africa in 2017, earned 48 caps for Nigeria, scoring 12 goals during his international…

Donald Trump Appoints Susie Wiles As First Female White House Chief Of Staff. President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Susie Wiles, his campaign manager and long-time adviser, as White House Chief of Staff, making her the first woman in United States history to hold this role. Trump announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday, describing Wiles as “tough, smart, and innovative,” with a reputation for being “universally admired and respected.” “Susie Wiles just helped me achieve one of the greatest political victories in American history,” Trump said. “Her appointment is a well-deserved honour, and I have no doubt that…

Putin Congratulates Trump On Election Win And Signals Openness To Ukraine Peace Talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended congratulations to Donald Trump following his victory in the United States presidential election, calling the former president “courageous.” Putin’s praise came as he expressed admiration for Trump’s response to a recent assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, describing Trump’s resilience as impressive. Putin, speaking at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi, also signalled his openness to peace talks with Ukraine, potentially paving the way for dialogue aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. While the specifics of any peace talks remain unconfirmed,…