Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) says it is open to challenging the defection of Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah to the All Progressives Congress (APC) via a legal process. Mr Egbeola Wale-Martins, the YPP National Publicity Secretary, made this known while addressing reporters on Friday in Abuja. He said that the party’s leadership was willing to continue to provide necessary support to its members as long as they did not waver in keeping faith with the party. Wale-Martins said that it was pertinent to state that the leadership of the party had been consistent in supporting not just Ubah but all candidates…

Divine Oduduru, a four-time NCAA champion has been banned for six years for his role in a doping case first pursued by United States authorities. The Athletics Integrity Unit said on Thursday that it has found the Nigerian sprinter guilty of possession and use or attempted use of multiple prohibited substances when he competed for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He has also been instructed to pay World Athletics $3,000 for the expenses related to the case. “We are very pleased with the outcome of this matter, given its particularly grievous nature, exposing the sinister collusion between athletes and other persons…

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), on Thursday, predicted states to experience a three-day dust haze and thunderstorms. NiMet in its weather report released on Thursday predicted dust haze on Friday with a visibility range of 2 km to 5 km over the northern region. The agency anticipated slim prospects of localized thunderstorms over parts of Taraba state in the morning hours. The report reads, “Later in the day, dust haze with visibility range of 2km to 5km is expected over the region with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna states. “Cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected…

A consolidated amendment bill seeking to allow the appointments of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) from among the three services of the Nigerian Armed Forces, on Thursday, scaled second reading at the House of Representatives. The bill is also proposing 40 years of service and a 65-year retirement age for members of the armed forces. The bill is jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Blessing Onuh,  Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere,  Esset Mark Udo, Steve Fatoba and Zakari Dauda Nyampa. The Bill entitled, “A Bill for an Act to amend the Armed Forces…

The naira yesterday depreciated to N1,030 per dollar in the parallel market from N1,010 per dollar on Wednesday. However, the naira appreciated in the Investors and Exporters, I&E, window yesterday to N759.2 per dollar. Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate for the I&E window fell to N759.2 per dollar from N776.8 per dollar on Wednesday, indicating N17.16 appreciation for the naira. Consequently, the gap between the official and parallel market exchange rates widened to N270.8 per dollar yesterday from N233.2 per dollar on Wednesday.

Scotland’s bid to reach Euro 2024 was agonisingly prolonged after suffering their first defeat of the campaign on a frustrating night in Spain. Needing a point to reach consecutive European Championships, a combination of steely focus, last-ditch blocks and some Spanish profligacy was eventually cancelled out by Alvaro Morata’s ghosting run and header deep into the second half. Just minutes earlier Scott McTominay triggered revelry among the Scots as he lashed a wonderous free-kick past Unai Simon, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR review. Scotland’s anguish would be compounded in the closing moments as Spain…

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has commended the Nigerian military for shunning anti-democratic acts, describing democracy as a necessity for all societies. Adeleke gave the commendation during the visit of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, to his Ede country home on Thursday. The governor, who condemned what he described as democratic setbacks in some parts of Africa, called for the strengthening of democracy instead of an unnecessary coup d’etat. According to him, the Nigerian military is a thorough professional service that upholds respect for the constitution while serving as a protector of the democratic process and national stability.…

Several people were trapped in multiple tanker accidents in Lagos on Thursday night. Upon arrival at the incident scene at SIFAX inward Costain, a pile up of vehicles including two petrol tankers was found to be ablaze, according to emergency authorities. Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said: “Further investigations revealed that one of the tankers was ascending the bridge when it rolled back onto the other tanker and other vehicles. The collision impact resulted in the fire.” He stated that the number of people trapped in the inferno could not…

Former Spain manager Jorge Vilda has been appointed head coach of the Morocco women’s team. Vilda led Spain to the Women’s World Cup title in the summer, when they defeated England 1-0 in the final. However, the 42-year-old was sacked within a month amid the fallout from the Luis Rubiales scandal. He replaces Reynald Pedros, who helped Morocco qualify for their first Women’s World Cup in 2023 and guided them to the last 16, where they lost to France. “The Royal Moroccan Football Federation contracted the Spanish coach Mr Vilda to coach the women’s national football team in the next stage,” the Moroccan…

The Super Eagles Of Nigeria have been drawn in Group A of the Total Energies Africa Cup Of Nations along with hosts Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau. The draw ceremony which kickstarted at about 19:00 GMT took place in Abidjan, the Ivorien Capital and had in attendance, former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi alongside Ex-Chelsea and Ivory Coast Striker Didier Drogba, Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi. Ivory Coast will host the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which is scheduled to kick-off in January 2023. Nigeria will face Guinea Bissau again, after already meeting each other…

UEFA has postponed Israel’s European Championship qualifying game against host Kosovo that was due to take place on Sunday. The decision by European football’s governing body comes after Hamas, an Islamist militant group that governs Gaza, launched a deadly attack on Israel on Saturday. Israel formally declared war on Hamas a day later. The conflict has claimed more than 2,500 lives on both sides and injured thousands. UEFA said in a statement on Thursday that the game in Pristina cannot be played “because the Israeli authorities currently do not allow their national team to travel abroad.” Israel are now two games behind schedule in a tight qualifying…

The House of Representatives has screened President Tinubu nominees to the Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), who appeared before the House Ad-hoc Committee mandated to conduct the screening on Thursday. They are Chiedu Ebie NDDC Chairman (Delta), and Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director/CEO (Bayelsa) respectively, who shared their details of respective career trajectories and vision for the commission. The designates confirmed include Mr. Boma Iyaye, ED, Finance & Admin (Rivers); Mr. Victor Antai, ED, Projects (Akwa Ibom); Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, ED, Corporate Services (Ondo); Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa); Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom); Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya…