Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Niger Delta Congress (NDC) has tackled controversial prominent Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi for asking President Bola Tinubu to remove Nyesom Wike as minister of the federal capital territory (FCT). The cleric said in a sermon that President Tinubu should remove Wike as FCT Minister otherwise there would be a fallout between them (Wike and President Tinubu). In response to this, the NDC through a statement by its national spokesperson, Mudiaga Ogboru, on Friday, said that Wike had the right to head the ministry, just as every other Nigerian, has the right to head any ministry, adding that the FCT was…

Niger’s military rulers have said they prevented ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from fleeing custody. According to Amadou Abdramane, the junta’s spokesman, the attempted escape happened around 03:00 (02:00 GMT) on Thursday. The military spokesman, who spoke in a live broadcast, said the former president tried to flee with his family, cooks, and security personnel. He added that there were plans for the group to fly out on helicopters, but it was foiled. “The ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his family, his two cooks and two security elements, tried to escape from his place of detention,” he said. The escape bid…

Juventus have offered their “full support” to midfielder Nicolo Fagioli after he was banned for seven months for breaching betting rules. The 22-year-old was given a 12-month ban, with five months suspended, and fined 12,500 euros (£10,850). The Italian will also have therapy to tackle his gambling problem. Juventus said they will be “providing the player with the necessary support in carrying out the indicated therapeutic plan”. The therapy plan will last for at least six months, with the Italian football federation (FIGC) saying Fagioli broke rules about placing bets on football events organised by them, European governing body Uefa and world ruling body…

The newly-appointed Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has issued a press release hours after his confirmation by the Nigerian Senate and meeting with President Bola Tinubu. Olukoyede has since assumed office as the EFCC chief in Abuja the following day. In his first press release made available to journalists, the anti-graft agency boss said his administration has come with a clear-cut agenda of re-positioning and re-focusing the Commission for optimal effectiveness. According to him, the rule of law will dictate the pace of the organisation. Olukoyede, in the statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said…

The Lagos State Police Command has issued a warning, stating that it will not tolerate any form of gathering at the tollgate in the Lekki area of the state. Addressing the public, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos State Command Police Public Relations Officer, noted that no gathering or convergence of any kind will be allowed near the toll gate. He made this statement through his official Twitter handle, stating, “Buses at/by Oriental Hotel suggest stopping/waiting of buses and gathering of passengers. For the avoidance of doubt, no gathering/convergence whatsoever would be allowed anywhere around the toll gate.” Hundeyin further clarified that the…

Alhaji Mansur Nuhu Bamalli, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Morocco, is dead. He was also the Magajin Garin Zazzau and biological younger brother to the Emir of Zazzau. A statement by the Media and Publicity officer of the Zazzau emirate council said Mansur Nuhu Bamalli died at a private Hospital in Lagos while on transit to Morocco. The statement added that “funeral prayers will be announced later.” He is survived by a wife and 2 children. Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed the deceased a year ago. In a letter dated October 7 and signed by the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey…

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake has revealed that Nigeria’s solid minerals sector has started attracting significant international interest as foreign investors showing a keen desire to key into the country’s mineral resources industry. He noted that President Bola Tinubu gave his word to increase funding for the mining sector through the ministry. The minister, who spoke at the close out session of the Nigeria Mining Week 2023 yesterday in Abuja, explained that the funding will facilitate the generation of essential big data to further provide both local and foreign investors with information to make decisions and judgments about…

The African Football League (AFL) kicks off in Tanzania on Friday (tomorrow), bearing little resemblance to the original concept. It was launched amid much hype last year and called the CAF Africa Super League with record prize money for an African club competition, including $11.5 million (10.9 million euros) to the winners. A total of 24 clubs — eight each from the north, west/centre and south/east regions chosen on merit — would compete and get $2.5 mn each in advance to buy players and cover travel costs. There were supposed to be 197 mini-league and knock-out matches, culminating in a…

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Olasupo Olusi to serve as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI). In a statement on Thursday by the presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the appointment of Olusi as BOI boss is for a term of four (4) years in the first instance. The President’s approval of  Olusi’s appointment follows the voluntary resignation of former BOI Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Olukayode Pitan. The statement said Olasupo Olusi has served as a World Bank economist and development finance expert over the past 20 years. It added…

The US State Department has issued a “worldwide” travel advisory to Americans. They were warned to exercise increased caution to avoid becoming victims of possible terror attacks. “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,” the agency warned in a statement on Thursday. The department also told Americans overseas to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.” The last time the department issued such a warning was in August 2022, following the…

UEFA said on Thursday the result of the European Championship qualifying game between Belgium and Sweden, which was abandoned this week after two Swedish fans were killed before kickoff, will stand. The game was called off at half-time with the score 1-1. Both the Belgian and Swedish federations had asked to keep it as the final result. “The Belgian and Swedish Football Federations are satisfied with the decision,” said the Belgian federation in a statement. UEFA said “the result of this match does not impact the qualification of Group F.” Belgium had already qualified for the tournament to be held in Germany next year before they took…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has rejected the Nigerian Customs Service’s request for reconsideration of its revoked land by the FCT Administration. The minister had ordered FCTA to revoke unused plots of land, leading to top politicians, organisations and government agencies losing lands. On Wednesday, customs officers led by the Acting Comptroller-General, Adewale Adeniyi, visited Wike to make a case that the affected land be returned. Adeniyi requested land to build primary and secondary schools for the children of the more than 2,000 customs officers residing in the FCT. “I read your letter on the revoked…