Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Nigeria, a country yet to be designated as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ by the U.S. Department of State, has been listed among the worst persecutors of Christians in the International Christian Concern’s (ICC) 2023 report. The report depicts an alarming portrait of the dangers Christians face in the country, asserting that Nigeria may be the most perilous place for Christians worldwide. “Nigeria is arguably the most dangerous place to be a Christian in the world today,” the report stated. The ICC report detailed 55 attacks in Nigeria resulting in the death of 549 Christians during four months from March…

AC Milan came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain to leave UEFA Champions League Group F wide open. PSG looked well set to cement their place at the top of the table when Milan Skriniar gave them the lead, but goals from Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud turned the contest on its head. It did not look likely when Skriniar stooped low to nod home a flick-on from Marquinhos on nine minutes. Milan responded superbly, with Leao acrobatically volleying home after Gianluigi Donnarumma – who had been given a hot reception by the fans of his former club – had beaten away…

Shakhtar Donetsk breathed life into UEFA Champions League Group H with a 1-0 win over Barcelona. Barca went into the game knowing a win would guarantee their progression to the knockout stages with two games to spare, but they were extremely disappointing in slipping to defeat at the Volksparkstadion. Danylo Sikan’s header on 40 minutes was worthy of winning any game as Shakhtar opened up the group. Shakhtar began brightly, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen had to stand tall to deny Mykola Matviyenko. The Ukrainian side restricted Barca to shots from distance in the first half – Raphinha lashing over from…

A goal from Niclas Fullkrug and another from the excellent Julian Brandt secured Dortmund a deserved double over Newcastle. They lead Group F by a point from Paris Saint-Germain, who play later tonight, and one win from their final two games will give them an unassailable lead over tonight’s opponents – who know that maximum points might still mot be enough. Still smarting following their weekend Klassiker humiliation, Dortmund started well without creating much, while Newcastle looked like they had not shaken off the physical and mental dump beating Arsenal must have left them with. It was not, though, until…

Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, says it is embarking on a $1.1 billion ports rehabilitation plan in the first quarter of 2024, to fortify Nigeria’s trade competitiveness. The Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, said this in a panel session at the 43rd Port Management Association of West and Central Africa, PMAWCA, conference held on Tuesday in Lagos. According to Mr Bello-Koko, almost every port in Nigeria requires rehabilitation while NPA is initiating a substantial overhaul for all ports, starting with the TinCan and Apapa ports in Lagos. “The objective of the authority is to enhance the physical infrastructure of these ports…

The Canadian High Commission in Abuja, on Tuesday suspended operations after a fire incident at the commission on Monday. No staff except security personnel were seen at the high commission situated at 13010G, Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, in the Central Business District of Abuja. The high commission had on its social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) announced the temporary suspension of its operations. The high commission, via the post, announced a temporary suspension of its operations after a section of the commission in Abuja was gutted by fire. The announcement entails that no operations towards the High Commission’s provision…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of three new Executive Commissioners for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) pending their confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. The President, according to a release issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, also approved the redeployment of one current Executive Commissioner. The new appointees are Mr. Bashir Indabawa (North West), Executive Commissioner, Exploration & Acreage Management; Mr. Enorense Amadasu (South South), Executive Commissioner, Development & Production; Mr. Babajide Fasina (South West), Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulation & Strategic Planning; and Dr. Kelechi Ofoegbu (South East),  Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services & Administration…

The House of Representatives Committee on Army has pledged its commitment to ensure the Nigerian Army is placed on a pedestal to tackle the challenges of insecurity facing the country. Its Chairman, Hon Abdullahi Mamudu, said this at the inauguration of the Committee on Tuesday. He said the Committee was a responsibility to Nigerians, as he enjoined members to give maximum cooperation for the objective to be achieved. He said the Committee has developed a four-year work plan that will be judiciously followed within specific periods in order to achieve its mandate. “Let us take this responsibility with all seriousness…

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti on Tuesday swore in newly appointed permanent secretaries in the state civil service, charging them to discharge their duties creditably. The governor, while speaking at the event at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, reminded the permanent secretaries that his administration does not tolerate corruption. He warned that that anyone caught involving in corrupt practices would face the music. The Abia governor, who also cautioned the permanent secretaries against fighting commissioners in charge of their ministries, said they should not see themselves as rivals to the commissioners but should rather work in harmony…

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has described the members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC as a source of immense potential to Nigeria and the country’s most valuable resource. He said it was the responsibility of the Nigerian State to provide the scheme with the tools necessary for it to succeed in the form of the NYSC orientation course. Governor Adeleke gave this affirmation during the swearing-in and official opening ceremony of the 2023 Batch C Stream 1 orientation course for corps members deployed to the state at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede on Tuesday. Governor Adeleke…

Unknown gunmen have attacked Gandu, a settlement near the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), killing one person and abducting an unspecified number of villagers to an unknown destination. It was gathered that the incident happened late Monday night. Gandu houses both staff and students of FULafia because of its proximity to the permanent site of the university. As a result, there is a substantial presence of students and university staff in the area. The victims of the attack are yet to be identified as of the time of filing this report. In response to the attack, security forces have been…

The National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, said on Tuesday that the proliferation of drones constitutes a threat to aviation security. According to the Centre, the use of drones has transformed from survey equipment to weapons. The centre also said drones have changed the way wars, especially low-intensity conflicts, are being waged. The National Coordinator of the Centre, Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (retd) disclosed this at the Nigeria-United Kingdom joint threats and counter-drones workshop in Abuja. He called for proactive strategies to address the challenges posed by the rapid increase in drone usage. Musa said, “Today, unmanned…