Author: Khadijah Olowode

By Abimbola Ogunnaike At least 13 people were killed in a renewed crisis in communities in Barikin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State as attacks and reprisals continue between herders and farming communities, Daily Trust reports. It was gathered that the latest incident occurred one day after five herders were ambushed in Rawuru community of the Barikin Ladi. Hours after the killing of the herders, gunmen reportedly invaded Rawuru community and gunned down eight persons. The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the second attack on the community, said he was not aware of…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Nigeria’s delegation to Sunday, 18 June, 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying battle with Sierra Leone arrived in the Liberian capital, Monrovia on Friday morning aboard a chartered Air Peace airline Embraer 195. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s Director of Communication, Ademola Olajire, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, 16 June, 2023. Olajire said that the aircraft conveying the contingent of 23 players, technical and administrative staff and a few other officials led by President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, landed at the Roberts International Airport at 11.08am local time (12.08pm in Nigeria),…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, on Saturday, 17 June, 2023, directed Muslims to look out for the new moon of Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH from Sunday, 18 June, 2023. Abubakar, the President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) gave the directive in a statement signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto. Dhul-Hijjah is the 12th and the last month in the Islamic calendar in which Muslims perform annual pilgrimage (Hajj) and celebrate Eid-el-Kabir festival. “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that, Sunday 18th June, which is…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The longest serving traditional ruler in Rivers State, Prince TJT Princewill, Amachree, Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom has been confirmed dead. Son of the deceased, Prince Tonye Princewill, confirming the death of the famous traditional ruler in Rivers State in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 17 June, 2023, saying his father died peacefully. According to Princewill, the Buguma Council of Chiefs and the Kalabari Council of Chiefs had been formally briefed about the death of his father in accordance with the Kalabari tradition. Princewill, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress(AC) in Rivers State said the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike David Beckham’s son Romeo, has joined Brentford’s ‘B team’ after impressing in a loan spell with the Premier League club. Romeo Beckham agreed to a one-year contract to play for Brentford’s second-string side after leaving MLS club, Inter Miami. The 20-year-old, whose father is co-owner of Inter Miami, spent the second half of last season on loan with Brentford B. Beckham helped them lift the Premier League Cup last season, featuring 15 times, while also scoring against National League side Wealdstone in the Middlesex Senior Cup. Brentford B head coach, Neil MacFarlane, hopes the youngster can continue…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa has denied that he influenced the decisions of his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa, while she served as President of the Court of Appeal. Recall that the Senator who represented Bauchi North Senatorial District in the 9th Assembly caused a stir on the floor of the Senate during the valedictory session of the 9th Senate when he confessed that he used his position to gain some favour for his colleagues from his wife. “I look at faces in this Chamber whom have come to me and sought for my help when my wife was the President…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Madami Garba Madami, a member representing Chikun State Constituency in the Kaduna House of Assembly under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party(PD) is dead. Madami died in the hospital where he was receiving treatment on Saturday, 17 June, 2023, three days after the inauguration. The 10th State Assembly members were inaugurated on Tuesday, 13 June, 2023, and the late member could not participate as a result of an undisclosed ailment. A traditional title holder from his constituency, Ibrahim Sale, the Ardo Ardodin, confirmed the sad incident in a statement issued on Saturday, 17 June, 2023 Meanwhile, the…

The Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila officially resigned his membership of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, 14 June, 2023. Prior to that event, Gbajabiamila has been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as his Chief of Staff, pending his swearing-in as member representing Surulere Federal Constituency I in the House. The resignation of Gbajabiamila has thus left a vacant seat in the House necessitating a bye-election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacant seat. The race for who will replace the immeidate past Speaker of the House…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike A Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State has ordered the police and six oCthers to produce properties seized from the state’s former Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle. Thegazellenews.com had reported that security agencies raided Matawalle’s residences on Friday, 9 June, 2023 and seized property, including many cars. Ruling on a motion ex parte on Thursday, 15 June, 2023, Justice Aminu Bappa Aliyu further directed the officers of the security agencies involved in the raid of Matawalle’s residences in Gusau and Maradun to within 48 hours produce a comprehensive inventory of all vehicles and personal property of the…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Barely three days to the end of his tenure as a lawmaker representing Burra State Constituency of Bauchi State, Hon. Ado Wakili, has passed on. A statement issued by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Suleiman Abubakar, on Friday, 16 June, 2023, said the lawmaker died after a brief illness. Abubakar, in his condolence message, described the deceased as a brother, dependable colleague, and elder statesman who was seen as a father of all in the House. According to the Speaker, the death of the Member has deeply touched all Members of the House. “In…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Enugu Zonal Command, has secured the conviction of 22 internet fraudsters before Justice F. Riman of the Federal High Court, Akwa, Anambra State. They were convicted on June 13, 2023, on a one count separate charge bordering Impersonation. The convicts are: Emos Ozoemena Orjiobasi, Onodugo Oji, Chukwudi Usulor, Victor Ifesinachi Ozonwanji, Arinze Daniel Ani, Ogbodo Chinedu Johnbosco, Okonkwo Francis Chukwuebuka, Emmanuel Tochukwu Ezuma, Tochukwu Collins Ojiochie, David Charles Ani, Chibuzo Emmanuel Okoloeze and Ebuka Thaddeus. Others are: Okechukwu Emmanuel Onah, Nnamdi Moses Aniojoani, Ezike Kingsley Chinecherem, Thomas Joshua Ekene, Ojioche Miracle Nzesinachi, Nwose Chinedu…

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, June 15, 2023, again suspended the planned arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah and others on alleged N7.9 billion fraud charges, citing security reasons, According to the judge, the court will not continue with the trial until it is certain and satisfied that the security and safety of the persons involved in the trial is assured. At the last adjourned date, Justice Ekwo had complained about receiving private messages regarding the case from persons whose identities he did not disclose, while warning them to desist from intruding…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Pope Francis has ordered Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, the Private Secretary of the late Pope Benedict, to return to his native Germany by the end of the month without any new assignment. The Vatican disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, 15 June, 2023, thus putting an end to speculation about what role Gaenswein, a powerful figure in the Vatican for more than a decade before Francis sidelined him after a personal falling out, would have in the Church. Former Pope Benedict died on December 31, nearly a decade after he resigned in 2013, the first pontiff to…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Delta State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old abducted boy, Abubakar Atiku, during a raid on the hideouts of a six-man syndicate at Abraka Market, in the Oshimili-South Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that one of the suspects abducted the victim on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, and in a bid to locate the whereabouts of her son, the victim’s mother, Aisha Yusuf, reported at a police station in the Abraka community that her son had been abducted by one Mohammed Isah, 35. Acting on the complaint, it was learnt that policemen led…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Sri Lankan military authourities have announced on Wednesday, 14 June, 2023 that its doctors have successfully removed what is now recorded as the world’s largest kidney stone from a 62-year-old retired soldier. The stone removed from ex-sergeant, Canistus Coonge, weighed 801 grams (28.25 ounces), more than five times the weight of an average male kidney, the army said. Coonge’s kidney stone measured 13.37 centimetres (5.26 inches) long, compared to an average kidney which is about 10 to 12 centimetres long. “The removal of the world’s largest and heaviest kidney stone through a major surgery occurred on June…

Lagos State Government on Thursday organised 10th year remembrance Fidau (Prayer) in memory of business magnate and President Bola Tinubu’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Ashabi Mogaji. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his wife, Ibijoke; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, his wife, Oluremi; Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, his wife, Falilat; Iyaloja-General, Chief (Mrs) Folasade Tinubu-Ojo; Alhaji Mutiu Aare and other members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), state officials, politicians, technocrats, friends and family of late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, among others defied the heavy rain and converged on Blue Roof, Agidingbi, Ikeja on Thursday to offer prayers…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Lionel Messi scored his fastest career goal as Argentina comfortably beat Australia in a friendly in Beijing onThursday, 15 June, 2023. Captain Messi, 35, opened the scoring after one minute and 19 seconds, curling a finish into the top left corner from the edge of the box. Substitute German Pezzella doubled the world champions’ lead with a header in the 68th minute. Australia’s Mitch Duke had a first-half effort pushed onto the post by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. But Argentina always looked comfortable in Messi’s first match since agreeing to join American side Inter Miami. Lionel Scaloni’s…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Joselu scored a late winner as Spain beat Italy to set up a Nations League final against Croatia on Sunday, 18 June, 2023. Yeremy Pino won the ball off Italy legend Leonardo Bonucci outside his own box before firing in Spain’s opener in Enschede, Netherlands. Ciro Immobile equalised for Italy with a penalty after Spain debutant Robin le Normand handled in the box. Substitute Joselu pounced from close range after Rodri’s deflected shot to send Spain to the Rotterdam final. It continues the remarkable late-career rise of Espanyol striker Joselu. The 33-year-old only made his international debut…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike The Gunners have seen their original offer, worth £90million, for the Hammers skipper turned down – but a new package is imminent. The rejected bid was worth £80million plus an extra £10m in performance related add-ons, just as the new offer is expected to guarantee West Ham in the region of £90million plus extra payments that will take the total deal to £100million. However, sources were indicating on Thursday, 15 June, 2023 that the total value of the bid isn’t the only remaining issue that requires ironing out before Rice can complete his move to the Emirates.…

By Abimbola Ogunnaike Tottenham have submitted a joint bid for James Maddison and Harvey Barnes following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, Daily Mail Football reports. The duo is in demand after contributing 23 goals and 10 assists between them last term in a struggling team, with Newcastle also interested in both, and West Ham and Aston Villa keeping a close eye on Barnes. But it is thought Spurs have made the first move, with the combined offer – believed to be in excess of £50million – set to be rejected by Leicester. Mail Sport reported on June 8 that Spurs…