Author: Chronicle Editor

FG to ramp up COVID-19 vaccine roll-out to reach 50% of targeted population NEC urges strict compliance to COVID-19 protocols ahead of festive season CBN processing Bridge Financing to spread over 6 months In a bid to help State governments meet financial obligations, especially the previous budget support facility due for repayment, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a fresh N656billion Bridge Financing Facility to the 36 States. Each State would receive N18.2B. This was disclosed today at NEC’s 121st meeting (10th in 2021), which was held virtually and was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, with State Governors,…

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has opined that the release of the EndSARS report, was an effort to wreak havoc on the state. The ruling party made this known in a statement issued by its spokesman Seye Oladejo, on Thursday. The statement reads: “Without any doubt, it is distasteful that commentators have based their utter condemnation on a leaked report which has led to some of the content being disputed by some members of the panel.” “The intention of those behind the leaked report should be condemned by all and sundry as it constitutes another…

At least 15 Sudanese protesters were shot dead and dozens more wounded, medics said, when thousands rallied Wednesday against last month’s coup, chanting “no to military power” amid clouds of tear gas. The fatalities – all in Khartoum, especially its northern districts – raised to 39 the death toll from unrest since the military seized power, a pro-democracy doctors’ union said. Hundreds more have been wounded. Several rallies broke out across the capital, even though telephone lines were cut and internet services have been disrupted since the power grab, AFP journalists reported. Security forces fired tear gas, injuring several more…

More than 125 people who were caught up in the deadly Astroworld music festival crush have sued rapper Travis Scott and other organisers for $750m (£556m). The family of Axel Acosta, 21, one of the 10 victims, are among those bringing the legal case in the US. It claims Scott and guest star Drake kept performing despite accounts of “lifeless bodies being passed through the crowd in full view of the stage”. Scott has said he was not aware of the tragedy until coming off stage. Last week, the rapper said he was “distraught” by the events in Houston, Texas,…

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to study a NIPSS report on how best to ensure effective policy design and implementation with a view to implementing some of its recommendations. The report entitled, “Getting Things Done: Strategies for Policy and Programme Implementation in Nigeria,” was presented to the President by the Senior Executive Course 43 (2021) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) , Kuru, Plateau State. Receiving the report, the President assured the course participants that it would be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. ‘‘As such, I…

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, has confirmed that 43 persons were killed during the attack by bandits in the state on Sunday night. The governor revealed this after his visit to Illela, one of the areas affected by the attack. A group of unidentified gunmen had attacked communities on Sunday night and Monday morning, killing many residents of the village in the process. Three days after the attack, Governor Tambuwal led members of the State Executive Council and security chiefs, as well as other top government officials on a condolence visit to the residents of the affected communities on Wednesday. Tambuwal who…

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has complained about media outlets mistakenly using his image in stories about Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy. City and France full-back Benjamin Mendy has been charged with six counts of rape and one of sexual assault, and remains in custody. Photos of Edouard Mendy and his cousin, Real Madrid’s Ferland Mendy, have been used to illustrate articles. Edouard Mendy said their use was “highly symbolic”. “Sad to see that in 2021, in France as well as in England, for some, black people have neither names nor distinct faces,” the Senegal international wrote on Instagram. “These ‘mistakes’ of…

A state of emergency has been declared in the Canadian western province of British Columbia after a major storm cut road and rail links in the region. The Canadian Armed Forces are being deployed to help thousands of stranded residents who have been trapped since the storm hit overnight on Sunday. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged assistance during a visit to Washington DC and said troops would help rebuild. One woman was killed in a landslide, and two people are missing. Thousands remain evacuated after an “atmospheric river” – a long strip of moisture in the air that transports water…

The Makurdi Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 secured the conviction and sentencing of one Ezekiel Jesse to three months imprisonment before Justice Abdul Dogo of the Federal High Court, sitting in Makurdi, Benue State for fraudulently re-directing electronic funds transfer to the tune of Seventy-Five Thousand Naira (N75, 000.00). The convict was prosecuted on one-count amended charge. The count charge reads; “That you, Ezekiel Jesse, on or about the 5th November, 2019, at Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently re-direct electronic funds transfer from Account No.…

The head of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has cast doubt on an email released by Chinese state media attributed to tennis player Peng Shuai. Steve Simon, chairman of the WTA, said in a statement he had a “hard time believing” the email was written by Ms Peng or on her behalf. One of China’s biggest sporting stars, she has not been heard from since she made sexual assault allegations against a top Chinese official. The email was shared on Wednesday. Broadcaster CGTN published the correspondence – allegedly written by Peng Shuai – online. Written in her voice, it claims…