Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s led government of Lagos State has reopened Alaba International Market and some markets at the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo. The Lagos State Government had earlier shut down the markets over poor waste disposal, failure to pay waste bills, and other environmental violations. In a statement, however, on Saturday, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, stated that the decision to reopen the markets was made after a thorough evaluation and implementation of strict environmental standards. He further clarified that the markets were reopened only after the environmental concerns had been resolved, dismissing any suggestions of political motives behind…

Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, is currently on a tour of the Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges in Lagos State. Umahi embarked on the tour with officials of the Ministry led by the Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha. The first port of call for the Minister was the Third Mainland Bridge which he inspected by ferry from the under water. Other federal bridges inspected in Lagos are Carter Bridge, Onikan/Bonny Camp, among others. The inspection is still ongoing as of the time of filing this report. It was meant to check the status…

Bryan Mbeumo and Ethan Pinnock were on target as Brentford won 2-0 at Chelsea to triumph at Stamford Bridge for a historic third season in a row and end the Blues’ recent revival. Mauricio Pochettino’s home side had dominated the first 45 and carved out a series of good openings, but could not find the breakthrough with Noni Madueke going closest with a shot that came back off the frame of the goal. Brentford defended for their lives at times but offered more of a threat following the interval with Vitaly Janelt firing straight at Robert Sanchez from 15 yards…

Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali has begun his 10-month ban from football after Fifa extended the ban worldwide. The 23-year-old was banned by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) on Thursday for breaching betting rules. The FIGC said Tonali will also participate in “a therapeutic plan” to help “recovery from gambling addiction”. A Newcastle statement said the Italy international will be able to return to competitive football on 7 August 2024. Newcastle manager boss Eddie Howe said on Friday morning that Tonali was in contention to play against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday as the club had not received confirmation of…

EFCC resumes trial of Former Governor of Ekiti State, Fayose and his firm Spotless Investment Limited are being prosecuted for allegedly laundering N6.9 billion. A former operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Abubakar  Madaki has told a Federal High Court in Lagos how a former minister of state for defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, handed over the sum of N1,219,000,000 in cash to former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose. Obanikoro had earlier narrated before the Court how N1.2 billion was allegedly taken to former Gov Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti, using an aircraft. In continuation of his evidence on Friday,…

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackle tobacco use by children in Nigeria. The Minister of Youth and Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, said this on Friday when she received the Regional Director, Tobacco Control Programme  Campaign for Tobacco–Free Kids, Ms. Bintou Camara, in her office in Abuja. Ibrahim said that tobacco smoking among children was a big challenge facing the country. The minister said Nigeria needs to partner and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to educate Nigerians to understand the health implications of tobacco smoking among young people. “We will focus on adolescent health. It is the area we…

Real Madrid travel to the unfamiliar confines of Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys to take on familiar foes in Saturday afternoon’s El Clásico, with the top spot in La Liga on the line. Barcelona sit one point behind Real Madrid in Spain’s top flight and are unbeaten in 10 games this season with seven wins and three draws. Madrid have lost just once, winning eight and drawing the other. Saturday’s game will be the first ever La Liga Clásico at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, where Barça are playing their home games while Camp Nou is refurbished. As such, it’ll become the third…

The federal government has flagged off the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative PCNGI, with seven conversion centres across Nigeria. The Chief Of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, officially flagged off the initiative yesterday at the State House, Abuja. In a symbolic handover of the CNG buses to the State House, the Chairman of the Presidential CNG Initiative Steering Committee, Zacch Adedeji, who was represented by the Chief Executive Officer of the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Mr Farouk Ahmed, announced that the government had waived the Value Added Tax on the CNG buses purchase as well as…

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has advised opposition parties against stampeding the judiciary into partisan politics through disinformation, mal-information and misinformation. Bamidele, who chaired the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in the 9th National Assembly, said this in a statement in Abuja. He chided opposition parties for dragging the judiciary into partisan politics in pursuit of their selfish interests against the collective interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. While celebrating the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the apex court, Bamidele condemned the undue blackmailing of the judiciary even before the petitions of the opposition parties and their candidates were…

Tottenham Hotspur moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table by continuing their superb start to the season with a win at Crystal Palace. After a tight first half in which Odsonne Edouard went closest with a low strike that was pushed away by Guglielmo Vicario, the visitors took control after the break. They benefitted from a huge slice of fortune with the opener when Palace defender Joel Ward turned James Maddison’s cross into his own net. But there was nothing lucky about their second as a lovely move involving Maddison and Brennan Johnson ended with…

Jenni Hermoso made a sensational return to Spain’s squad as she scored an 89th-minute winner against Italy in the Nations League. Hermoso, on as a 68th-minute substitute in Salerno, converted the rebound after Alexia Putellas’ shot was saved by Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani. The forward had not played for her country since the scandal that engulfed Spanish football, when federation president Luis Rubiales kissed her on the lips during the trophy presentation after winning the World Cup. The kiss, which Hermoso says was not consensual, sparked outcry and Rubiales eventually resigned as Spanish football federation (RFEF) president. Rubiales, whose actions…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Prof. Tunji Olaopa as the new chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). The appointment was confirmed in a statement on Friday by presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale. According to the statement, President Tinubu also appointed members of the commission, representing various regions. The appointment of the new FCSC leaders is subject to Senate confirmation. They are expected to resume on November 30, 2023, following the end of the tenure of the current Federal Civil Service Commission chairman and membership on November 29, 2023. The statement reads: “As one of fourteen Federal Executive Bodies into which Section 154…