Author: Chronicle Editor

Sokoto State government has earmarked and approved N651.88 million for the purchase of 118 model transformers  and 82 units of feeder pillars for the electrification of communities across the state. Briefing newsmen in Sokoto at the end of the periodic Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the state Commissioner for Rural Development, Usman Suleiman Dandamin Isa said the essence was to ensure electricity supply to communities for socio-economic benefit of rural dwellers. He told TheNation that, “the provision of I infrastructure is essential to the survival of citizens and it stimulates and boost economic activities.” He explained that…

Nigeria is rapidly sinking under the weight of rising foreign and domestic debts, and this should bother us, says former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Obasanjo’s submission was part of his opening lines on Friday as he presented a paper titled ‘Nigeria: The Challenges of Debt and Sustenance of Democracy’. Speaking after Dr. Olurotimi Badero, the Nigerian American cardiologist and international nephrologist who was recently recognised as world’s first and only fully trained cardio-nephrologist, Obasanjo said: “There is a dangerous emerging trend today in Africa, and it is eerily familiar with developments on the continent in the 70s. “Our political leaders…

The mother of two children who drowned alongside their father while holidaying in the Costa del Sol said all three could swim, and claimed there was something “wrong” with the pool they died in. Christian pastor Gabriel Diya, 52, his daughter Comfort Diya, nine, and his son Praise-Emmanuel Diya, 16, died on Christmas Eve at the Club La Costa World holiday resort in Fuengirola, Spain. An “utterly heartbroken” Olubunmi Diya said she believed “something was wrong with the pool that must have made swimming difficult for them at that point in time”. Hotel operator CLC World Resorts and Hotels said…

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, has rejected claims that she was reprimanded by the Presidency. The minister described the report by an online news medium as “uncharıtable and false story”. In a press statement signed by Rhoda Ishaku Illiya, assistant director information, the minister said at no time was she reprimanded by the Presidency. The statement said the attention of the Ministry has been drawn to an uncharitable and false story by an online medium notorious for spreading falsehood alleging that the Honourable Minister had been reprimanded by the Presidency for…

The orgy of violence witnessed before, during and after last month’s governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa brings to fore once again the need to curb the death toll and mayhem associated with voting in Nigeria over the years. In Bayelsa alone, seven deaths were recorded in 90 electoral violence cases reported by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), an NGO, while the gruesome murder of Salome Abuh, PDP women leader in Kogi, was a needless bloodletting two days after the poll. The Situation Room, a Coalition of over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) that monitored the Nov. 16 Bayelsa and Kogi…

Wolves fought back from two goals down to beat 10-man Manchester City in a memorable and controversial Premier League encounter at Molineux. City looked as though they would make light of the 12th-minute red card shown to goalkeeper Ederson for a foul on Diogo Jota when Raheem Sterling scored twice. The first came after two dramatic interventions by the video assistant referee, one to award City a penalty, then rule a retake, both of which Rui Patricio saved before Sterling tapped the rebound from the second kick into an empty net. But Wolves, roared on by a passionate crowd, levelled…

A Grade 1 Area Court in Dutse, Abuja on Friday sentenced Aliyu Musa, a 24-year-old student to six months imprisonment for stealing N40, 000 with a stolen ATM card. The Presiding Officer, Mr Suleiman Mohammed, who tried and found Musa guilty however, gave him an option to pay N30, 000 as fine. Mohammed held that the convict failed to give the court a reasonable explanation why he committed the crime. He also ordered that the money confisticated from the convict by the police be returned to its owner. The convict, who resides in Ushafa area of Bwari was convicted of…

President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Solomon Adodo has said that Nigerian youths must unite and be orderly to ensure the actualisation of a better Nigeria. He said NYCN as a youth body is making several efforts in ensuring the presently polarised Nigeria’s youth house is put in order. Adodo who made the remarks while speaking with newsmen in his Abuja office on Thursday stressed that it is difficult for the country to develop if the disorderliness, discord amongst youths is not addressed. Asked what his key programme will be as the new President of NYCN, he…

An air disaster was averted on Friday after a 25-years-old man was apprehended around the air field by Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel manning the Charlie One (C1) link/holding area of the domestic terminal (GHQ) in Lagos. According to reports, the intruder was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos when he attempted to access an Air Peace aircraft heading to Owerri. In a swift response, the AVSEC personnel on static guard duties at the area rushed to stop his further movement to a taxiing aircraft (CS-TQU) and a struggle ensued. All efforts…

The planned withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (EU) and the ongoing trade war between the United States and China constitute major threats to Nigeria’s economy, the World Bank has said. In its latest Nigeria Economic Update, the World Bank said the two issues indicated a resurgence of ‘protectionism’. Protectionism refers to government’s actions and policies that restrict or restrain international trade, often with the intent of protecting local businesses and jobs from foreign competition. The World Bank noted that the resurgence of protectionism, as suggested by Brexit and the US-China trade war, could result in lower…