Author: Chronicle Editor

The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Tuesday abolished the payment of pension and other entitlements to former governors, their deputies, former speakers and their deputies in the state by repealing the law outrightly. The brings an end to the controversy over a delay in payment to the immediate past governor, Abdulaziz Yari. Presenting the bill before the House, the House Leader, Hon. Faruk Musa Dosara (PDP Maradun 1) urged his colleagues to as a matter of urgency consider the complete repeal of the law which provides the jamboree pay for the former political leaders of the state at the…

The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and relevant authorities to upgrade the Ibadan airport to the status of an international airport. The call was made sequel to the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Kola Balogun (PDP, Oyo South). The lawmaker noted that the presence of an international airport will complement the activities of the Ibadan inland dry port and accelerate the derivation of the expected socio-economic benefits from the inland dry port. NASS may pass 2020 budget next Wednesday – Lawan According to Balogun, an international airport in Ibadan will enhance efficient and effective…

Robert Lewandowski scored the fastest quadruple in Champions League history as Bayern Munich thrashed Red Star Belgrade 6-0 in Group B. The Poland striker took just 14 minutes and 31 seconds to net four goals. He became only the second player to score in nine consecutive group-stage appearances in the competition. Leon Goretzka, who netted Bayern’s opener with a cross from ex-Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho, and Corentin Tolisso completed the scoring. Lewandowski takes his tally to 30 goals for club and country in his 24th appearance of the season in all competitions, with 10 goals coming in the Champions League…

Paris St-Germain came from 2-0 down to hold Real Madrid in a hugely entertaining Champions League game with both sides already assured of their place in the last 16. Real’s place was booked shortly before kick-off after Club Bruges’ 1-1 draw with Galatasaray. Karim Benzema put Real 2-0 up with a close-range finish and a header. But Kylian Mbappe scored after a defensive mix-up and Pablo Sarabia fired a brilliant equaliser. Gareth Bale almost won the game for Real Madrid deep into injury time but his free-kick hit the post. The French champions will finish top of Group A as a…

A spectacular free-kick from Paulo Dybala gave Juventus a Champions League win over Atletico Madrid and guaranteed the Italian side top spot in Group D. Juventus, whose qualification for the last 16 had already been confirmed, went ahead when Dybala’s powerfully struck free-kick from a tight angle went into the roof of the net. Substitute Federico Bernardeschi also hit the post for the Serie A leaders. Atletico remain second but need to beat Lokomotiv Moscow next month to qualify. The Spanish side, Champions League runners-up in 2014 and 2016, are on seven points, one ahead of Bayer Leverkusen after the…

Manchester City secured a place in the last 16 of the Champions League and ensured they will finish top of Group C despite having to settle for a point against Shakhtar Donetsk. Ilkay Gundogan gave City the lead after half-time, side-footing home after some fine footwork from Gabriel Jesus gave him the space to finish. But Shakhtar, who had shipped 12 goals without reply in their past three meetings with City, stayed in the game and substitute Manor Solomon levelled with his first touch when he met Dodo’s pull-back from the right. City, missing record scorer Sergio Aguero with a…

Jose Mourinho made a dramatic entrance at his new home as Tottenham came from two goals down to beat Olympiakos and qualify for the Champions League knockout phase. Mourinho made a low-key entrance for his first game as manager at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – but then it was drama all the way as he was subjected to all facets of the side he inherited from sacked Mauricio Pochettino. Spurs were dreadful at the back in the first half, going behind after only six minutes to Youssef El-Arabi’s low drive and conceding a second 13 minutes later when Ruben Semedo scored…

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that both chambers of the National Assembly may pass the 2020 budget by next week Wednesday. Lawan gave the hint on Tuesday when a delegation from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) paid a courtesy visit to his office at the National Assembly, Abuja. According to Lawan, the Senate and House Committees on Appropriation sought a one week extension to enable them conclude work on the report of the 2020 Appropriations Bill to be laid next Tuesday. He said: “We want to pass the budget 2020 before the end of the year.…

The Senate has urged the Federal Ministry of Transportation to immediately take steps to ensure completion of the construction of the Ajaokuta-Otukpo rail line. The upper chamber also advised the Ministry to incorporate construction of siding rail to Okaba in Ankpa Local Government Area to ease transportation of coal to the various end-user companies. The advice was given after consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Jibrin Isah (APC, Kogi East). The lawmaker, in his motion, underscored the need for the speedy completion of the rail line from Ajaokuta to Otukpo in order to facilitate operations of the Ajaokuta Steel…

You can never say Club Bruges don’t know how to celebrate. In fact they enjoyed their late equaliser at Galatasaray so much that they had two men sent off. When Krepin Diatta curled home from outside the box deep into injury time to make it 1-1 in Istanbul, you might have expected the drama to be over. He took his shirt off to celebrate, as modern footballers love to do. Unfortunately he appeared to forget he had already been booked so was shown a second yellow card and a red. He is the first player to score and be sent…