Author: Chronicle Editor

Liverpool beat struggling Watford 2-0 to complete a remarkable return to the top of the Premier League – for a few hours at least. The Reds trailed Manchester City by 14 points on 15 January, but a 10th straight league win at a raucous Anfield took them above Pep Guardiola’s side, whom they meet on 10 April. Diogo Jota’s 20th club goal of the season and his third in as many appearances in a red shirt – 34 seconds after Alisson made a huge save to deny Juraj Kucka – helped seal a tense win. Portugal forward Jota jumped between…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has sent greetings and prayers to all Muslim faithfuls as this years Ramadan Fasting season begins. The Vice President said Ramadan is an opportunity to witness devotion, sacrifice and compassion. According to him “as another new moon ushers in the blessed month of Ramadan, I wish to felicitate with the Muslim community on yet another opportunity to witness this holy month of devotion, sacrifice, compassion, generosity and selflessness. Buhari welcomes Ramadan fasting, asks Muslims to feed the poor Osinbajo added that, “This is a time for personal deep reflection and service to community. I urge you…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says it has disbursed N948 billion to 4, 478, 381 smallholder farmers under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) across the country. The Director, Corporate Communications Department, CBN, Mr Osita Nwanisobi disclosed this on Friday in Enugu during the ongoing Enugu International Trade Fair. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ABP is an agricultural loan scheme launched in 2015 by the Federal Government through the CBN. The main aim of the programme is to boost agricultural yields, halt large volumes of food importation and address negative trade balance. Meanwhile, Nwanisobi said that…

Barcelona want to sign Arsenal and France forward Alexandre Lacazette, 30, on a free transfer in the summer when his current contract expires. (Sport) Villarreal’s Pau Torres is back on the radar of Manchester United who held talks over the Spain defender, 25, before signing Raphael Varane last summer. (90min) Manchester City are optimistic they can see off competition from Real Madrid to sign Borussia Dortmund and Norway’s 21-year-old striker Erling Braut Haaland this summer. (ESPN) Newcastle United want to sign 29-year-old Barcelona and Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho, currently on loan at Aston Villa. (Sport) Arsenal have been undertaking extensive…

President Muhammadu Buhari has joined world leaders in welcoming the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting and intense devotion for Muslims. The president made his feelings known in a message to Nigerians and Muslims all over the world, released by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja. According to the president, the fasting period offers a unique opportunity to “feel the hunger experienced by the poor so as to feel what it is like to be deprived and marginalised. “Muslims should seek greater personal discipline, which is necessary for the realization of a great nation.” Saudi to…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of trying to profit from the train attack in Kaduna state. The ruling party said while Nigeria is in deep mourning over recent terrorist train attack and other acts of violence perpetrated by avowed enemies of our nation, the PDP sought to “profit from our collective grief and tragedy in its desperate quest to seize power and plunge our country back into ruinous looting ways”. In a statement by Barr. Felix Morka, national publicity secretary of APC, the party kicked against the suggestion that it was complicit. “In…

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel says there is a “very high probability” captain Cesar Azpilicueta will stay at the club – but admits their “hands are tied” over Antonio Rudiger’s future. BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague said Barcelona had been in talks with Azpilicueta. They reportedly met with Rudiger’s agents earlier this week. However, Azpilicueta has triggered a one-year extension in his contract. “It’s a good thing,” said Tuchel. “It’s good news for us.” Spain defender Azpilicueta was out of contract at the end of the season and Barcelona were hopeful of signing the 32-year-old. However, due to the number of…

The United States will face England and Iran in Group B at the World Cup finals while Spain will take on Germany in a clash of former winners in Group E. Holders France take on Denmark and Tunisia in Group D after three of the four spots in each group were drawn. The football world gathered in the Qatari capital on Friday as the draw ceremony for the World Cup finals got under way with music and dance. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thaniwelcomed the guests who included national team coaches, World Cup-winning players and football officials all waiting…

Lekki residents under aegis of Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to halt the proposed resumption of toll collection on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge. The Lekki Concession Company (LCC) had announced that the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza will resume today, 18 months after it was suspended. The call was made to the governor in a letter titled “Position of Lekki Residents on the planned Re-introduction of Tolling”. In the letter, LERSA questioned why tolling should resume on the 1.5km bridge in view of the harsh economic situation in the country. Signed by…

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arraigned Reverend Emmanuel Ugochukwu Ekwem, founder and General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, who was arrested for being in possession of cannabis sativa, has been arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court. NDLEA arrested Reverend Ugochukwu with the banned weed on March 7 during the outward clearance of passengers of Ethiopian Airline flight to Kenya at screening 1, Departure Hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The Man of God, was brought before Justice Daniel Osiagor, on Tuesday, on a one count charge of unlawful export of the banned weed. The…