Author: Chronicle Editor

The Federal Fire Service of Nigeria has confirmed the occurrence of an explosion in the Festac area of Lagos state on Sunday morning. Unconfirmed reports claim it could be a pipeline explosion between Festac and Satellite Town, others have said the explosion happened in Abule Ado. The Fire Service is yet to state categorically where and what caused the explosion. Reacting on its Twitter account, the Fire Service said, “We are in touch with our men in Fire Stations around Badagry and Festac, we are trying to gather more information as regards the reported explosion in Lagos State, Nigeria. We…

The Insight by Lateef Adewole “Ojó a bákú làá d’ère, èèyàn ò sunwòn láàyè” (The day one dies, is the day one becomes a hero, even when not appreciated while alive) The hottest news in Nigeria in the last six days is the dethronement of the former Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi II. He has been trending for days. Mallam Sanusi has suddenly become a “celebrity” who everyone and anyone is talking about. Tons of articles, write-ups, commentaries, etc, have been written about him and the issue. Many of his past speeches have resurfaced. They are all over the…

The 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) on Saturday commenced nationwide with a mixed reaction from both candidates and parents. Over 1.9m candidates are sitting for the examination in over 600 computer-based test centres (CBT) across the country. Our reporter, who monitored the examination in some centres, observed that some candidates who wrote the examination had different experiences. At the Ade-Ola International School CBT Centre, Kubwa, our reporter observed that parents protested at the school gates because of the failure of the virtual private network (VPN). Some candidates scheduled to write the examination at 7am could not write until after…

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised an alarm over the increase in organ harvesting and trafficking in Nigeria. The Director General NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, explained that her agency will be concentrating more on the issue this year. She said that in the last year, cases of Nigerians being trafficked to countries like Oman, Dubai, Lebanon etc have been on the increase. She said this in Abuja at the grand finale of the Not For Sale Campaign, a human trafficking enlightenment programme. Okah-Donli added that the agency is considering creating a human trafficking…

The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied reports that the man who tried to break the security cordon to attack President Muhammadu Buhari in Argungu, Kebbi State on 12 March was killed. A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, said one Mohammed Jammil Guddare made a futile attempt to have an unauthorised handshake with the president in Argungu. The DSS said Guddare was arrested by security operatives and arrested for thorough investigation. The service also said they have reviewed the video of the incident and are taking measures against its personnel found to…

Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, on Saturday broke down in tears during the funeral mass of his Chief Security Officer, Mr. Tony Iwelu. Amaechi was choked with emotions and could not continue with the oration, as he broke down while giving an oration during the funeral mass at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA, Delta State. The minister, who described the death of his aide as “one of my greatest shocks and personal losses”, said the deceased has been around his family in the last 17 years. In his words, “the realisation of Tony’s death was to…

The 2020 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) held on Saturday. The 2019 remake of the 1992 Nollywood classic, ‘Living in Bondage: Breaking Free’ won big at the event. Here is the list of winners at the event: Best Makeup Category – Lilian Omozele Paul (God Calling) Best Costume Designer – Dimeji Ajibola (Ratnik) Best Picture Editor – Tosin Igho and Byryan Dike (Elevator Baby) Best Sound Editor (Movie/TV Series) – Cristina Aragon (Living in Bondage) Best Lighting and Designer (Movie/TV Series) – Cardoso (God Calling) Best Cinematographer – John Demps (Living in Bondage) Best Documentary – Beverly Naya (Skin) Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series) –…

US President Donald Trump has tested negative for the coronavirus, the White House physician has said. “This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative,” Sean Conley said in a statement on Saturday. Mr Trump underwent a test days after hosting a meeting at his Florida resort with a Brazilian delegation, some of whom have tested positive. Fabio Wajngarten, an aide to the Brazilian president, was among those later confirmed to have the disease. “One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the president remains symptom-free,” Mr Conley said. Mr Trump, aged 73, did not self-isolate…

*Assures family, community of government’s support “Late Inspector Ali Gomina was an officer that was loved by many, he served very dutifully and diligently. We are all very sad when this happened. It is terrible.” Those were the words of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, earlier today when he paid a condolence visit to the family of late Inspector Ali Gomina and the entire Gui community in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. Prof. Osinbajo arrived the community at about 3.45 pm accompanied by aides and was received by the Chief of the village, Alhaji Alhassan Yussuf and other leaders of…

Nigeria’s Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje has vowed to crush his Ghanaian opponent, Moses Dodzi, when they clash in an international featherweight challenge bout at GOtv Boxing Night 21 on 12 April. The bout, which will take place at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, is one of the three international fights scheduled for the six-bout event. Agbaje, who is famous for his all-action style,  said in an interview on Friday that he is in top shape and is ready to see off his opponent within three rounds. “This is my first international fight here in Nigeria and I…