Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

Arsenal Football Club has officially announced the signing of Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna. The club disclosed this on Monday, 29 July, 2024 in a post on X. The Gunners wasted no time welcoming their new acquisition, posting on their official page, “Benvenuto, Riccardo Calafiori. Meeting new teammates for the very first time.” The use of “Benvenuto” means “Welcome” in Italian. Meanwhile, giving details of the transfer, football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said, “Official, confirmed. Riccardo Calafiori joins Arsenal from Bologna on a five-year deal.”

The Sokoto State Police Command has labelled as unconfirmed a N1 billion ransom allegedly demanded by kidnappers of a district head in Sokoto State, Isa Bawa, and his son (name undisclosed). Bawa, the district head of Gatawa, and his son were abducted by unknown gunmen at Kwanan Maharba while they were returning from Sokoto Saturday, 27 July, 2024, Daily Trust reports. When contacted on Monday, 29 July, 2024, the command’s spokesman, Ahmad Rufai, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that the police were unaware of the ransom demand. However, he confirmed that Bawa and his son were abducted. “I can…

Ahead of the August 1st nationwide hunger protest, soldiers have taken over the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and other strategic points. This is coming as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing declared that Igbo Youths will not participate in the protest, which is scheduled for August 1st to 10th, 2024. It was learnt that heavy movement of military personnel, especially those of the Nigerian Army, in the Enugu metropolis. At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport Junction along the old Abakaliki-Emene road, several military personnel were seen stationed with weapons. Also, at the Abakpa Junction and New Heaven Junction along the…

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Agency on HIV/AIDS (KOSACA), Ibrahim Anate, has disclosed that at least 50,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in state. Anate, who made this disclosure in Lokoja, the state capital on Monday, 29 July, 2024 at a one-day stakeholders dialogue, added that a total of 36,066 people living with HIV are currently receiving treatment in Kogi State, while over 19,000 have failed to show up for treatment or counseling. According to him, stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV are reasons why many individuals fail to declare their status. KOSACA scribe criticized…

Manchester United are planning to build a 100,000-capacity stadium in the next six years, ESPN reports. A final decision on whether the club will build a new stadium or redevelop Old Trafford will be taken before the end of the year. The project will cost over £2 billion and should be completed by 2030. United co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, had previously said he would prefer to build a new stadium on the site of the existing stadium. This would mean potentially using land behind the Stretford End for the expansion. Officials from United have looked at similar projects across the…

Troops of the Nigerian Army conducting counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations under the aegis of Operation HADIN KAI in North East Nigeria, have eliminated 8 terrorists in Bula Marwa, just ahead of Siraja village in Borno State. According to a statement by the army, the troops in conjunction with the Hybrid/Civilian Joint Task Force, raided the terrorists’ enclave in the early hours of Sunday, neutralizing the terrorists in a fierce gun battle. The troops also recovered one Automatic Grenade Launcher, an MK rifle, and a bag containing a pair of desert camouflage and other terrorists’ uniforms from the terrorists. Further surveillance…

Ahead of the proposed national protest slated for 1 August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education, has issued a circular to all Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities to guarantee the protection of staff, students and public infrastructures in their respective domain. The circular issued through the National Universities Commission NUC, and signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Dr Chris Maiyaki on Monday, morning acknowledged the right to protest but expressed fears about the potentials for violence. The circular is titled: “Urgent Arrangements for the Security and Safety of University Staff, Students and Property During the Proposed Nationwide Protests”, emanated from…

Commuters plying the Keffi-Abuja expressway were on Monday, 29 July, 2024 left stranded after military officers barricaded the highway to conduct a stop-and-search operation on vehicles entering the nation’s capital. The soldiers mounted a road block at Sani Abacha barracks before the popular AYA roundabout. Security agencies did not give any prior warning before to the blockade that has caused a gridlock extending as far as Nyanya Bridge, more than 12 kilometres from the checkpoint. Civil servants and traders who work in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) live outside the city centre in places such as Nyanya, Karu, Maraba and…

The Chairman of Conference 57, umbrella body of Council Chairmen in Lagos State and Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, Barrister Kolade David Alabi, has assured the general public that youths and students residing in Bariga area of Lagos State would not participate in any protest, rage or violent activities against the Federal Government. His assurance is coming in the wake of public debate over plans to protest by some youths against hardship in the country. Alabi, in his recent meeting with students and youths in Bariga, expressed that there are no reasons for youths in the LCDA to…

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. (Dr) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has commended Optiva Capital Partners, Africa’s leading wealth management and investment immigration firm, for its partnership with the commission. This recognition came during the 14th annual National Diaspora Day celebrations held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Hon. Dabiri-Erewa expressed her gratitude to partners and sponsors, particularly highlighting Optiva Capital Partners for their collaboration with NIDCOM. She emphasized the importance of providing a platform for Nigerians globally to engage and invest in their home country in meaningful and impactful ways. National Diaspora Day, celebrated…

D Tigress, Nigeria’s National Female Basketball Team on Monday, 29 July, 2024 at the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics recorded its first victory in the women’s basketball event as they defeated Australia 75-62 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium. It was the Tigress’ first win in Olympics in 20 years and their second victory overall in the Olympics. The victory over Australia underlined the determination of the Tigress to do well in the competition. Australia are ranked third in the FIBA ranking while Nigeria are ranked. The Rena Wakama tutored side have registered just a win at the Olympics despite qualifying twice…

Senator Austin Akobundu representing Abia Central Senatorial District, has described the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as a huge loss to Nigeria. In a statement released Saturday by his media office, Akobundu said Chief Iwuanyanwu died at a time Nigeria needed him most as his tireless and patriotic efforts towards achieving a more united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria were already yielding results and needed to be consolidated. He extolled him as an elder statesman whose commitment to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people was of utmost priority, hence, he founded business concerns where Nigerians from all walks of life were…

The Nigerian Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio has mourned the demise of Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah who died in London during a complicated surgery, reports thegazellenews.com Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, via a statement released on Saturday, 27 July, 2024, stated that the Red Chamber was devastated by the news of the Anambra businessman. Part of the statement read, “It is with deep sorrow and profound regret that the Nigeria Senate announces the passing of our esteemed colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Uba, who until his passing represented the Anambra South Senatorial District. “Senator Uba was an exemplary leader,…

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Charles Wali, has issued a restraining order against the Peoples Democratically Party(PDP), its National Chairman, Iliya Umar Damagum, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu. The order prohibits the party and its representatives from holding Wards, Local Government Areas and State congresses in Rivers State pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by bona fide party members from various wards in the 23 local government areas of the state. Justice Wali, who issued the restraining order, directed the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the Commissioner of Police…

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu describes the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as shocking and a great loss to the country, his home State of Anambra and Lagos, where the deceased established most of his businesses. The Governor describes the late Ifeanyi Ubah as an astute businessman and politician, who contributed his quota towards nation-building as representative of his people in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Governor Sanwo-Olu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, his friends, colleagues and associates, especially the good people of Anambra South on the loss of their illustrious…

In a move to stablise the Naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), has revealed that it recently sold a cumulative amount of $148 million to authorised dealers in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) The apex bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications Department, Mrs Hakama Sidi-Ali, said in a statement that the transactions were conducted between Monday and Tuesday to provide liquidity to the FX market. According to Sidi-Ali, the CBN sold FX to 29 authorised dealer banks at exchange rates between N1,470 to a dollar and N1,510 to one dollar. She reiterated the commitment of Yemi Cardoso, the CBN Governor…

The Lagos State Government has unveiled the Eko Flavours project, a transformative platform to showcase the state as the melting point of Nigeria as well as the culinary prowess of youths and local market vendors in the State. The Eko Flavours was unveiled during a press conference by the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms. Abiola Olusanya, on Friday, 26 July, 2024, at the Fresh Food Hub at Idi Oro in the Mushin area of the State. Olusanya said the Eko Flavours project, which is in partnership with the private sector, was introduced to drive efforts to…

The 2024 edition of the National Diaspora Merit Award ceremony has been held in Abuja with a call on Nigerians in Diaspora to help drive innovation, share knowledge, and improve human capacity in the country for accelerated development of the country. The call came from the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event. The First Lady who noted the remarkable feats being achieved by Nigerians in Diaspora, urged the Commission not to limit its achievements to the Diaspora alone. “The Government cannot do it alone. As we look forward to…

Godwin Dudu-Orumen, one of Nigeria’s foremost sports administrators is in celebration mood as Sportshaq Nigeria’s first sports bar and viewing centre, hits three decades. Dudu-Orumen, the pioneer Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission(ESSC), who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Sportshaq, said in a statement signed on his behalf by Nnamdi Okosieme, his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, that the 30th anniversary of the company is worth celebrating given its contribution to birthing a thriving culture of sports bars and viewing centres across the country. “It has been a worthwhile experience”, says, the irrepressible sports administrator known…

The Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), Tosin Adeyanju, has appealed to Nigerian youths to refrain from the planned nationwide protests, assuring that the Tinubu administration is committed to making the country great, reports thegazellenews.com  Adeyanju made this statement during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris Malagi in Abuja. Adeyanju, who spoke passionately about his experience as a former student and youth leader, urged the youths to give President Tinubu’s administration time to implement its policies, emphasizing that the president means well for Nigeria. “I have been at the barricade before, and I…