Author: Olukayode Oke

Al-Ettifaq manager, Steven Gerrard, is currently the fourth highest-paid manager in world football. The former Liverpool captain earns an eye-watering £15.2m annually in Saudi Arabia. Gerrard signed a three-year deal with Al-Ettifaq as he made a return to management following spells with Rangers and Aston Villa. His contract sees him earn £15.2m each year of his deal, which works out at around £1.26m per month. Atletico Madrid boss, Diego Simeone, remains the highest-paid with a £30m pay packet. The Premier League duo Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp make up the top three, as they are paid £20m and £16m by…

The State Security Services (SSS) has faced criticism from Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, a group of legal practitioners, for the arrest and detention of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. They questioned the absence of similar action against former President, Muhammadu Buhari. Speaking on Arise Television, Kingdom Okere, the Convener of Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, argued that Emefiele was merely following orders and that the person who gave these orders, former President Buhari, should also be held accountable by the SSS. He said, “Whatever Emefiele did as CBN Governor had presidential approval. So, if…

Nigerian lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives are planning to spend more than N40 billion to buy vehicles. According to Saturday Sun, the plan involves the procurement of 107 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Landcruiser and 358 units of the 2023 model of Toyota Prado for the Senate and House members respectively. The vehicles for the four top officers of the National Assembly will be purchased separately. These top officers include the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abass; the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau; and the Deputy…

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has urged the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu if it is serious about ending the insecurity to end in the South-East. In a statement on Friday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB knocked the Nigerian Army for linking it to the incessant sit-at-home orders and enforcement in the region. The pro-Biafra group dissociated itself from the violent enforcement of sit-at-home exercise across the South-East. It warned the army chief against unleashing terror on the South-East people in the guise of going after sit-at-home enforcers. They advised the Bola Tinubu administration not…

Asisat Oshoala bagged a brace as the Super Falcons thrashed Australian club, Queensland Lions FC 8-1 in a friendly game on Saturday morning. It was the Super Falcon’s first friendly since they set up camp in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Super Falcons dominated the game from start to finish pinning their opponent to the back. Ifeoma Onumonu, Toni Payne, Halimat Ayinde, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday scored the other goals for Randy Waldrum’s side. The players and their officials will move to their designated camp base, the Sofitel Hotel, Brisbane on…

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended Olukayode Ariwoola Junior, son of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola for appointment as a Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria. Ariwoola Jr was recommended for the Federal High Court bench alongside 22 others who passed the recent screening and interview of the Council. The decision was taken at the 103rd meeting of the NJC presided over by the CJN himself, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. According to a statement on Friday by the NJC Director of Information, Soji Oye, the council considered the list of candidates presented by its Interview Committee and…

Colonel Bisiriyu Olayinka Olayanju (retired) has been reappointed as Oyo State Commandant of Western Nigeria Security Network, also known Operation Amotekun. Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed Olayanju’s reappointment on Friday, July 14, 2023, Naija News reports. A letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi, revealed that Makinde also approved the reapportionment of Mrs. Tara Adefope as the Director General of the Oyo State Bureau of Public Procurement. The governor also appointed Engineer Mufutau Open Salawu as Executive Assistant, Project Monitoring. In a separate statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju,…

A Nigerian Air Force FT-7NI trainer aircraft has reportedly crashed in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. According to a Channels Television report, the incident happened on Friday while it was on a routine training exercise. Channels also reported that the statement has been confirmed by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet. He said two pilots onboard the aircraft survived and were being observed in a military facility. He said, “Luckily, the two pilots on board survived the crash after successfully ejecting from the aircraft. Additionally, there was no loss of lives or damage to…

President Bola Tinubu today (Friday) met with the former Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and the governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The meeting comes after the President met with Ambode at the state reception organised for him (Tinubu) by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on June 29 Recall that Sanwo-Olu also visited to Ambode, his predecessor’s home to celebrate his 60th birthday on June 14. The recent visits has been perceived as the return of Ambode to the mainstream of Lagos politics. Meanwhile, President Tinubu is speculated to be considering Ambode for…

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has bragged that his side, Bafana Bafana will qualify for the 2026 World Cup ahead of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Broos made this known after the 2026 World Cup draw was made on Thursday. South Africa and Nigeria will face Rwanda, Benin, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe in Group C for one of the nine slots alloted to Africa. The Belgian tactician believed his side has all it takes to qualify ahead of Nigeria. “The away games will be very important in a group like ours, but now a little bit more because we have five…

Ex-Manchester City footballer, Benjamin Mendy has been cleared of raping a woman and attempting to rape another. The 28-year-old was accused of attacking a 24-year-old woman at his £4m mansion in Mottram St Andrew, Cheshire in October 2020. Mr Mendy was also accused of the attempted rape of another woman, aged 29, who said he had also molested her at his home two years before. It comes after he was cleared of six rapes at an earlier trial in January. The France international broke down in tears as the not guilty verdicts were read out by the jury foreman following…

Arsenal have completed the signing of Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber from Ajax for £34m. Timber’s fee could rise to £38.5m and the 22-year-old joins on a long-term deal. He will further bolster Arsenal’s defence after centre-back William Saliba agreed a new four-year contract. “We’re really excited Jurrien has joined us. He is a versatile young defender,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “Jurrien is a young player, but has already achieved so much. He has experienced what it’s like to go to a major international tournament on more than one occasion, as well as the trophies he has won with Ajax.…