Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Department of State Services DSS has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC of its determination to provide a conducive atmosphere for the February/March general election. Director General, State Services, DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi made the pledge in Abuja at the opening of a 4-day strategic workshop organized by the Service for its state directors and heads of institutions. Service Spokesman, Dr Peter Afunanya in a statement issued Monday in Abuja said the workshop which held between 18th and 21st January, 2023, was part of the Service’s preparedness for the general elections.  According to him, the INEC Chairman…

Relegation-threatened Everton have sacked manager Frank Lampard after less than a year in charge at the Goodison Park club, British media reported on Monday. The former Chelsea boss was appointed to replace Rafael Benitez in January 2022 but leaves with the side 19th in the table, level on points with bottom club Southampton. In a sign of the turmoil enveloping Everton, club directors were earlier this month ordered to stay away from Goodison Park due to perceived security risks. Everton fell to a damaging 2-0 defeat at fellow-strugglers West Ham on Saturday — a ninth loss in their past 12…

Novak Djokovic surged into the Australian Open quarter-finals with his “best match of this year” on Monday. After a series of shocks at Melbourne Park, normal order was more or less restored on day eight, except for fourth seed Caroline Garcia bowing out under the weight of expectation. Djokovic demolished Alex de Minaur for the loss of just five games to sweep into the last eight and step up his bid for a 10th Melbourne crown, and record-tying 22nd major title in all. He will meet fifth seed Andrey Rublev for a semi-final berth after the Russian toppled Danish teenager Holger…

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has arrived Lagos State to inaugurate key projects executed by the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration. These projects include the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Imota Rice Mill, the Blue Rail line and the 18.75-kilometre six-lane rigid-pavement Eleko Junction to Epe Expressway, among others. Buhari arrived at the Murtala Muhammad Airport on Monday at 3:33pm. Present at the event to receive the President are the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun. Also present are Governor of Ekiti…

Declan Rice is leaning towards joining Arsenal this summer as the West Ham midfielder considers his options. Rice, 24, is likely to leave the Hammers at the end of the current campaign due to his desire to play Champions League football. The Guardian report that there is set to be a bidding war for the England anchor with Chelsea and Manchester United keen on signing the 39-cap international. Mikel Arteta’s project in North London would be something that appeals to Rice, especially if the Gunners were to go on and win the league this season. Chelsea have endured recent struggles as Graham Potter seeks to restructure his squad,…

Hugo Lloris’ time at Tottenham looks to be finally coming to an end. The World Cup-winning goalkeeper, 36, is a modern-day legend in North London having racked up over 400 appearances for Spurs since his 2012 arrival. However, the latest in a string of high-profile errors during a recent loss at Manchester City prompted scathing criticism from fans and pundits alike. As Antonio Conte’s side prepare for a trip across the capital to face Fulham this evening, we take a closer look at Lloris’ situation and consider how things may be resolved in the coming months. Few players in this…

Gordon was the subject of intense interest from Chelsea in the summer, but eventually stayed at Goodison Park. Things haven’t gone well this season though, with the Toffees in relegation form, Gordon was targeted by fans after their most recent home loss to Southampton. It would therefore be little surprise if Gordon wanted to leave, as talkSPORT’s football correspondent Alex Crook explained. I think if he had his way he would be [on his way out],” he said. He was one of the players targeted by the Everton fans after their last home game, it was some pretty unsavoury scenes. Chelsea were really keen…

The Federal Road Safety Corps will conduct the certification of drivers and vehicles to be used for the forthcoming elections across the country, an official said on Monday. The responsibility is in line with the Standard Operating Procedures of Elections in Nigeria”, Mr Oga Ochi, the Sector Commander, FCT Command, said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. We are already on board as far as this arrangement is concerned. So all the vehicles, whether they are engaged or temporarily used by INEC, will be fully certified by the FRSC. The checklist is already provided for…

An Islamic group, Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, on Monday, urged the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to ban ‘Kuku Do Ritual’. an album by Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable. MURIC, in a statement by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the new album would encourage youths and other Nigerians to embrace ritual. The group said it finds the song disgusting, detestable and egregious, saying it is a brazen assault on Nigerian and African values. He said Portable’s latest song had reduced human life to the level of ordinary ants that can be stamped out under human feet without qualms and…

Nigeria forward, Terem Moffi is set to link up with Premier League club, West Ham United for €24m. French publication, Mercato Plein claimed Ligue I club, Lorient have accepted West Ham United’s offer for the player. Moffi was reportedly undecided over a move to the London club, but it seems he is now set to link up with David Moyes’ side. Another Ligue I club, OGC Nice were also interested in the Super Eagles forward but Les Aiglons failed to meet Lorient’s valuation. Southampton also had a bid rejected for Moffi earlier in the window. The 23-year-old has scored 12…

Magda Linette reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final at the age of 30 with a shock defeat of fourth seed Caroline Garcia at the Australian Open. Poland’s Linette, ranked 45th in the world, won 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 against France’s Garcia, who became the latest seed to fall in Melbourne. She had never before progressed past the third round of a major. “I don’t really believe it,” said Linette, who will face Karolina Pliskova in the last eight. “I don’t know what happened. I’m speechless, really. I don’t know what to say. “But I don’t want to say I didn’t expect…

Global tech giant, Google, has disclosed that it deleted over 1.7 billion ads, restricted over 5.7 billion, and suspended over 5.6 million advertiser accounts in Nigeria and other parts of Africa. In its latest statement on Africa, Google pledged commitment to access to information. It stated that governments worldwide are demanding stiffer information and private internet restrictions. Google says users remain the central focus of its policy formation. Google Africa Managing Director, Nitin Gajria, revealed that it blocked 1.7 billion publishers’ pages that breached a number of the company’s open information rules. We also blocked or restricted ads from serving…