Author: Chronicle Editor

Newcastle United are growing increasingly confident of signing England defender Kieran Trippier, 31, from Atletico Madrid next month. (Football Insider) Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says he will contact Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the Gabon striker, 32, was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy. (Mirror) Barcelona are preparing a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Norway striker Erling Braut Haaland, 21. (Sport) Manchester City are also interested in Haaland but may not be willing to spend enough money to get him. (Manchester Evening News) Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United are all set to move for Dusan Vlahovic after news that the 21-year-old Serbia striker rejected the “highest contract in Fiorentina history”. (Talksport)…

Arsenal overtook opponents West Ham and moved into fourth place in the Premier League by winning an eventful match at Emirates Stadium. Gabriel Martinelli scored the opener early in the second half before substitute Emile Smith Rowe confirmed victory for the Gunners late on. Gunners’ captain Alexandre Lacazette also had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the second half. West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal was sent off for a second booking in conceding the penalty as he was judged to have fouled Lacazette in the box. Coufal had been booked in the first half when his flailing arm caught…

The Operatives of the Nigeria Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have arrested four (4) suspects in connection with the abduction and gruesome killing of the late Mrs Nneka Nwanyi-Sunday Emeh Kalu who was earlier reported missing and later found dead in a cassava farm on 29th August, 2021 in Ngugworo Community in Nguzu Edda in Afikpo South, Ebonyi State. The suspects arrested are; Irem Ifeanyi Mbah, Igwe Anya Chima, Okorie Okam and Emeh Kalu – the husband of the deceased and the principal suspect. The suspects are within the age bracket of 25 – 40yrs and all native of Nguzu…

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved the review and upgrade of salaries of police officers across board by 20 per cent. The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi gave this update after the FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the renovated council chambers. According to the minister, the review exercise is expected to take effect from January 2022. FG dismisses report that December salary will be delayed Dingyadi further stated that the review is in response to the demands made by EndSARS protesters in 2020, involving primarily improved welfare for police officers. He said the take…

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal today, December 15, 2021 set aside the judgment of Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court Abuja refusing the final forfeiture application of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in respect of the sums of $500,000 and N500m allegedly looted from the Zamfara state’s share of the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government to the 36 states. Justice Dimgba had on June 30, 2017 ordered the interim forfeiture of the monies following an ex parte application by the EFCC. But the judge on November 17, 2017 refused the…

Britain’s seven-times Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton received a knighthood for services to motorsport on Wednesday, days after losing out on what would have been a record eighth title in the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton holds the record for most race wins with 103, and is tied with Germany’s Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ championships. The 36-year-old Briton, the sport’s only Black driver, was made a Knight Bachelor by Prince Charles in a ceremony at Windsor Castle, outside London. Hamilton is the fourth Formula One driver to receive the honorary title of “Sir” in Britain…

…gives nod to $10m grant component The Senate on Wednesday approved the sum of $5,803,364,553.50 USD and a grant component of N10 million USD under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) plan. The approval followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. Chairman of the Committee, Senator Clifford Ordia, in his presentation, said the $2,300,000,000 would be sourced from the World Bank, $2,300,000,000 from the German Consortium, $90,000,000 from the Islamic Development Bank, 786,382,967 from the China Exim Bank, $276,981,586.50 from the Bank of China, and $50,000,000 from the International Fund for Agricultural Development. He…

The new coronavirus variant Omicron is spreading across the globe at an unprecedented rate, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Cases of the heavily mutated variant have been confirmed in 77 countries. But at a press conference, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was probably in many others that had yet to detect it. Dr Tedros said he was concerned that not enough was being done to tackle the variant. “Surely, we have learned by now that we underestimate this virus at our peril. Even if Omicron does cause less severe disease, the sheer number of cases could…

Sergio Aguero says he is “proud” of his career after accepting the “very difficult” reality of retiring from the sport to protect his health. The 33-year-old sobbed while announcing the news on Wednesday, fewer than six months after joining Barcelona. The former Manchester City striker was taken to hospital on 30 October after experiencing “chest discomfort” during a 1-1 draw with Alaves. “The decision I have made, I have taken it for my health,” said Aguero. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was among a small crowd watching Aguero make the announcement next to the Nou Camp pitch. Aguero, who ends…

The Senate on Tuesday received a request from President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the nomination of Mu’azu Jaji Sambo from Taraba State as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The confirmation request was contained in a letter dated December 8, 2021, and read on the floor during the start of plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. President Buhari, in the letter explained that the request was made in accordance with Section 147(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). In another letter dated December 10, 2021, President Buhari sought the confirmation of the appointment…