Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has warned that Nigerian athletes may be disqualified from competing in the 2024 Olympics in Paris if the Nigerian Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) does not follow the World Anti-Doping Code. At its executive committee meeting last Thursday in Montreal, Canada, WADA accused Nigeria’s NADO, as well as those of two other nations, Venezuela and Tunisia, of failing to comply with the Code according to a statement on its website. WADA said the “Nigerian NADO has still not addressed several critical requirements following an audit carried out by WADA in late 2022” (October 19-20, 2022). The statement…

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso who has kept his plan for a new CBN to his chest, would seize the moment at the forthcoming Bankers’ Night, a yearly event organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), this weekend to make a bold statement and unveil key policy directions. Cardoso is expected to examine the macroeconomic direction and outlook for the Nigerian economy at the event where private sector operators look forward to a clue of the CBN’s thinking about the economy. Cardoso will be addressing bankers and other public and private sector stakeholders at the Annual Bankers’ Dinner-themed…

Zazuu, a fintech company focusing on Africa, has officially ceased its operations due to the inability to secure additional funding. The closure announcement was made through a LinkedIn post where the startup acknowledged the challenge of obtaining sufficient growth funding as the primary reason for the shutdown. Established in 2018 by four Nigerian entrepreneurs – Kay Akinwunmi (CEO), Korede Fanilola (COO), Tosin Ekolie (CTO), and Tola Alade (CDO) – Zazuu aimed to revolutionize the remittance payment landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa. Serving as an end-to-end money transfer marketplace, the company’s mission was to reduce the cost of remittance payments. Zazuu positioned…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has recalled how his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost a local government election in Ogun State in 1998 because he rejected plans to bribe officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He spoke in Abeokuta at a high-level consultation he organised on ‘Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa’. Obasanjo said party leaders had told him that there should be money allocated for the police and INEC, but he rejected the proposal on the belief that INEC officials and policemen are government workers earning salaries monthly. He told politicians and professors at…

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Act, Sharafadeen Alli has revealed that the Senate is working to ensure that election petitions are concluded before the swearing-in of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s announced winner. Making this known while speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Alli said that unnecessary  petitions were the reason the election umpire had to conduct off-cycle elections. “We looked at the timing for elections and election petitions, we looked at a lot of administrative issues, that may not require legislation but under the purview of INEC. In terms of legislation about election petition…

Benjamin Mendy has filed a multi-million pound claim against his former club Manchester City over unpaid wages, his lawyer confirmed. Mendy, 29, was acquitted on one count of rape and another on attempted rape at a retrial in July, following on from the not-guilty verdict he received on six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January. The charges against Mendy saw Man City suspend the defender in August, 2021 before eventually stopping his payment in September, 2021. The defender signed for Ligue 1 side Lorient on a free transfer this summer after the expiry of his City contract. Nick De Marco KC, who…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained that he did his best in the eight years that he governed Nigeria. Buhari made the disclosure in an interview with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). He said Nigerians are a difficult bunch to manage because “they think they should be” in charge “not you”. “God gave me the opportunity to serve my country, but I did my best. But whether my best was good enough, I leave for people to judge. “Nigerians are extremely difficult. People know their rights. They think they should be there, not you. “So, they monitor virtually every step.…

Reigning European champions Italy secured the point they required against Ukraine to qualify for Euro 2024 as Group C runners-up behind England. A 2-1 win in the reverse fixture meant Italy only had to avoid defeat against Ukraine, with whom they began this crucial encounter level on points. A frantic match in Leverkusen, Germany ended goalless to confirm the Azzurri’s place in next summer’s finals. Third-placed Ukraine’s qualification hopes rest on the play-offs in March. Spurred on by passionate support at their ‘home’ venue amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of their country, Ukraine had appeals for a stoppage-time penalty dismissed after…

The Court of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS,  has declared that the Nigerian Broadcasting Code used by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to impose sanctions and fines on broadcast stations violates freedom of expression. The ECOWAS court ruled on October 23, in a judgment delivered in a suit filed by a non-governmental organisation, Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to the ECOWAS Court, the Nigerian government had failed in its responsibility to align its domestic legislation with its international obligations. The applicant had challenged the use of the NBC Code by…

Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu will next week formally declare his intention to contest the 2024 Edo State governorship election. Recall that Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, had earlier clashed over the former’s gubernatorial ambition. Reports had emerged claiming that Obaseki, who is believed not to be disposed to his deputy taking over from him, is backing the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/Gte, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, to succeed him. However, Shaibu has been consulting and meeting with politicians and the media on his intention to contest, with the latest being his…

Barcelona midfielder Gavi tore his anterior cruciate ligament on international duty with Spain and needs surgery, his club has confirmed. Gavi, 19, left the pitch in tears on Sunday after landing awkwardly when jumping to control the ball. Barca said he would have surgery on his right ACL, with a further update on the injury due in “the coming days”. Gavi could miss the rest of the season and his chances of playing at Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics are in doubt. Barcelona confirmed the “complete tear of the ACL” on Monday and the recovery time for that injury can be eight…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Hyacinth Alia as governor of Benue state. Alia was declared the winner of the governorship election that was held in March. The Catholic priest polled 473,933 votes to be declared winner by the electoral commission. However, Titus Uba, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue, filed a petition challenging Alia’s victory. Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, who delivered the lead judgment, dismissed the allegation of non-qualification levelled by Uba against the Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode. Justice Otisi held that the PDP gubernatorial candidate failed to establish forgery of INEC…