Author: Chronicle Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Mr Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Mortgage of Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). A Chartered Accountant and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Gbeleyi is a well-known financial expert who was once a Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State as well as a player in the aviation sector. Femi Adesina, spokesperson to President Buhari in a statement on Friday said he replaces Chief Adewale Adesoji Adeeyo who passed on recently. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria was founded by the Federal Government…

Kieran Trippier has joined Newcastle United for the “challenge” and not the “financial benefits”, Eddie Howe says. He has been cleared to play Newcastle’s FA Cup against Cambridge on Saturday after his signing was completed. Trippier, 31, has arrived from Atletico Madrid for £12m plus add-ons – Newcastle’s first signing since October’s Saudi Arabian-backed takeover. The England defender has agreed a deal until the end of the 2023-24 season. “It’s a sign that the club has a huge pull – and I’m not talking financial here,” said head coach Howe. “Kieran hasn’t come for the financial benefits of the contract.…

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to bring in former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona until the end of the season. The deal, which is subject to a medical and a work permit being granted, includes an option to buy the 29-year-old for £33m at the end of the season. Coutinho joined Barcelona in a £142m move from Liverpool in January 2018. However, the Brazil international has not had the expected impact and Barca are keen to lighten their wage bill. Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle and Tottenham were also linked with a move for the Brazilian. The playmaker,…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja urged the Board of the newly incorporated Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to ensure strict compliance with corporate governance principles that place premium on doing business with the highest ethical standards, integrity, and transparency. Inaugurating the Board chaired by Senator Margery Chuba Okadigbo, the President charged them to focus on profitability and operate at par with its industry peers across the world. “I expect the NNPC Limited to be mindful of our commitments to our net carbon zero aspirations and to ensure total alignment with the global energy transition realities,” he said.…

Bandits have killed scores of residents following a raid on several communities in the Anka and Bukkuyum areas of Zamfara state. Some villagers said that many motorbike-riding bandits attacked villages, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses on fire. This appears to be one of the biggest attacks by gunmen on villages in Zamfara in recent months. Multiple sources have given different casualty figures – some have put the number of the dead at more than 100. The attacks are said to have started on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday as the gunmen moved from one village to another. Police and…

By Bisola Bisuga Just as I thought It could not be worse Assuming the binds Have loosened and slacked Relaxing a bit And slightly I slant To rest from the pains That hover at bay And what a relief To finally see The total recall Of all I will be Restored and returned Beyond my compare Fast-forward I was Above where I fell So now I arise From pity to pitch And fulfilled I am By He who made me.

Tanzania’s parliament speaker Job Ndugai has resigned days after clashing with the president over the government’s external loans. The speaker said his resignation was a personal and voluntary decision taken in the interest of the nation. President Samia Suluhu had accused him of planning to sabotage her for political reasons after he commented about the country’s loans. The president had just announced a new loan from the International Monetary Fund when the speaker commented that the country was at risk of being auctioned because of loans. Tanzania swear in first female president Mr Ndugai issued a public apology to President…

Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said at least 950 terrorists and 537 armed bandits were killed by Nigerian troops in the last seven months across the country. The DHQ on Thursday detailed how formations across the country helped safeguard the country, adding that, over 20,000 terrorists surrendered to the Nigerian government. Major General Benard Onyeuko, acting director, Defence Media Operations, noted that the report by the DHQ covered achievements between 20 May 2021 and 6 January 2022; from when we started our fortnight briefings. “Within the timeframe in focus, own troops conducted series of land, maritime and air operations in the various theatres,…

Liverpool are closing in on a £60m deal to sign Colombia winger Luis Diaz, 24, from Porto. (Sun) Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, could leave Manchester United this summer if he does not approve of the club’s choice of permanent manager. (Star) Newcastle have rejected a bid from Everton for Sean Longstaff. The 24-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but the Magpies hope to agree a new deal with the English midfielder. (Shields Gazzette) Newcastle and one other Premier League club are keen on signing Norwich midfielder Todd Cantwell, 23. (Sky Sports) Liverpool’s Belgian forward Divock…

Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland could join Barcelona in the summer despite them being more than a billion euros in debt, says Spanish football expert Guillem Balague. The 21-year-old Norwegian has a 75m euros (£62.6m) contract release clause that could see him leave Dortmund at the end of the season. “Barcelona need to get rid of big wages and big players, but it’s possible and they’re confident they can do it,” said Balague on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Euro Leagues podcast. Barcelona, despite the promise from the new president Joan Laporta to keep him, had to let Argentina forward Lionel…