Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Super Eagles and Napoli star forward Victor Osimhen has been voted as the eighth best player in the world in the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. The 24-year-old striker was instrumental for the Partenopei as they claimed a first league crown since 1990. He won the league’s Capocannoniere and was named as the Striker of the Year with 26 goals and four assists in 32 league appearances. The Nigerian striker also scored five goals in six UEFA Champions League appearances for Napoli as they reached their farthest in the competition, bowing out to AC Milan in the quarterfinals. Osimhen is the…

President Tinubu, on Monday, said Nigeria’s power sector privatisation had failed to meet its objectives. Tinubu moted that the national grid was serving only about 15 per cent of the country’s electricity demand despite being privatised 10 years ago. Tinubu spoke during the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry market participants and stakeholders roundtable that focused on privatisation, calling for the recapitalisation of power distribution companies. Represented by the Special Adviser, Energy and Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, Sodiq Wanka, the President said, “10 years on, I believe it is fair to say that the objectives of sector privatisation have, by…

The chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele has revealed that payment of taxes in dollars to stop before December. “This whole idea of paying levies taxes in foreign currency will stop before the end of this year,” he said. “If you are a Nigerian company or individual who does business in naira, why should we pay taxes in dollars? We shouldn’t be creating demand against our currency.” He said his committee is discussing with state governors and looking at “suspending multiple taxes that frustrate businesses and find money from government agencies where there…

Lionel Messi was named the Ballon d’Or 2023 winner at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, the eighth time he has won the prestigious award. Messi captained Argentina to 2022 World Cup success in Qatar last winter, the first time he won the tournament which ended a 36-year wait for La Albiceleste. The 36-year-old scored twice in a blockbuster final against France in December which finished 3-3 after extra-time, scored in the penalty shoot-out and was named player of the match. Messi fought off competition from Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe, as well as…

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati has won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the first time. The 25-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful year as she helped her club triumph in the Spanish top flight and Champions League, and her country win the World Cup in the summer. She was also crowned Uefa’s player of the year in August. England goalkeeper Mary Earps achieved a fifth place finish while team-mate Rachel Daly was 10th. Fellow Lionesses Millie Bright and Georgia Stanway were also among the nominees. Sam Kerr of Chelsea and Australia finished second, Barcelona and Spain teenager Salma Paralluelo was…

England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has won the Kopa Trophy for the world’s best player aged under 21. The 20-year-old was recognised at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris. Bellingham has enjoyed a stunning start to his career at Real Madrid, scoring 13 goals in his first 13 games since joining in the summer. The Kopa Trophy recognises his performances last season, during which he scored 14 times in 42 games for Borussia Dortmund. He also helped England reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar. Bellingham was picked ahead of Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, with former…

Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi has had his suspension lifted by Mainz and given an official warning after his social media post about the Israel-Gaza conflict. The former Aston Villa and Everton player, 28, was banned from training and matches on 17 October after a now-deleted post on social media which was perceived to be pro-Palestine. Sources had said the German club would terminate his contract. But Mainz say they have now “opened the door for him to resume his duties”. “Given his commitment to upholding the club’s values and the remorse shown, and in keeping with the club’s culture of using mistakes…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the sum of N2,176,791,286,033 for the second 2023 supplementary appropriation. Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, announced this on Monday while briefing State House reporters after the federal cabinet meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He said the draft supplementary budget to be sent to National Assembly for approval would be used to finance urgent issues including N605 billion for national defense and security. According to him, “This is to sustain the gains made in security and these are…

The Westminster Magistrates Court in the United Kingdom (UK), has adjourned the hearing on the case involving Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to November 2025. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is actively seeking Alison-Madueke’s repatriation to Nigeria. This move comes amidst allegations of corrupt dealings during her tenure as the minister. Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has submitted a warrant of arrest and an official request to the Crown Prosecution Services of the United Kingdom, urging the immediate extradition of the former minister. This request was made in accordance with the orders of…

A bill proposing the death penalty for kidnappers whose hostage victims resulted in death has scaled through the first reading and is awaiting a second reading on the floor of the House of Representatives. It also proposed life imprisonment, without the option of a fine, for anyone convicted of kidnapping and hostage-taking in Nigeria. The proposed legislation entitled A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Kidnapping, Hostage Taking and for Related Offences” was sponsored by a member representing Ugheli North/Ugheli South/Idu Federal Constituency of Delta, Francis Waive. In his lead debate, the House also proposed that any property owner who knowingly…

Edison Ehie has emerged as the new Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Ehie was the former majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Amadi, has been suspended.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has suspended four of its members. This followed the suspension of Edison Ehie, Leader of the House representing the Ahoada constituency, on Monday morning. Other Assembly members suspended are Goodboy Sokari Goodboy, also representing Ahoada, Adolphus Timothy, representing Opobo/Nkoro, and Victor Oko-Jumbo, representing Bonny. The Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, announced the suspension of Ehie and six other members of the House after they were accused of masterminding the explosion that rocked the Assembly complex on Sunday night. The House also announced the impeachment process of Governor Siminalayi Fubara over alleged misuse of…