Author: Chronicle Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has backed the honour done by Nigeria to the memory of acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola. The party said this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, on Sunday in Abuja. The party, however, said it rejected the inclination by President Muhammadu Buhari to use the award to posture as a democrat and desperately seeking to garner votes ahead of 2019 presidential election. It noted that bestowing a posthumous national award on Abiola did not make Buhari a democrat. “Chief Abiola, in his life…

Lyon and France midfielder Nabil Fekir, 24, was so convinced his move to Liverpool would be completed he had already picked his shirt number. (L’Equipe, via Star) Roma goalkeeper Alisson, 25, is “very happy” at Roma despite Liverpool’s interest, says his Brazil goalkeeping coach Claudio Tafferel. (Tele Radio Stereo, via Liverpool Echo) Paris St-Germain are interested in signing Chelsea’s 27-year-old France midfielder N’Golo Kante, whose agent has met the Ligue 1 champions’ sporting director. (Paris United, via Sun) Serie A giants Inter Milan could make a move for Chelsea and Italy defender Davide Zappacosta, 26. (Tuttosport, via Football.London) Real Madrid…

A rescue vessel carrying 629 migrants including Nigerian minors is stranded in the Mediterranean after Italy’s new interior minister refused permission for it to dock. Matteo Salvini, leader of the right-wing League, said Malta should accept the Aquarius but he was rejected. Malta says the German charity SOS Méditerranée picked up the migrants in Libyan waters, which means they fall under Italy’s jurisdiction. Italy is the main entry for migrants crossing from North Africa to Europe. The League promised voters during Italy’s recent general election that it would take a tough stance on immigration. SOS Méditerranée, which runs the Aquarius,…

The Speaker of Osun State House Of Assembly, Dr. Najeem Salaam, has reemphasied his long held opinion that Osun West Senatorial District should produce the next Governor of the State. Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Saturday, the Ejigbo-born political leader and a leading aspirant in the upcoming gubernatorial elections, insisted that the zone must be allowed to stake its claim on the position in the spirit of fairness. “The people of Osun West have always demonstrated deep maturity and patience in the political history of the State,” he said. “Despite having eminently qualified people to lead the State of…

World number one Rafael Nadal won a record 11th French Open title by beating Austria’s Dominic Thiem in straight sets on Sunday. Nadal, 32, won 6-4 6-3 6-2 to earn his 17th Grand Slam, three adrift of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record. The Spaniard edged an intense opening set, tightening his grip in the second. And he increased the tempo further, consigning Thiem to defeat in his first major final when the Austrian sent a return long. Nadal is the only second player in history to win the same Grand Slam on 11 occasions after Margaret Court, who won 11…

Neymar scored a beauty of a goal as Brazil routinely dispatched Austria 3-0 in their final World Cup warm-up game. Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho were also among the goals as Brazil sealed their ‘favourite’ tag. Manchester City striker Jesus calmly slotted past Heinz Lindner to open the scoring after 35 minutes as Tite’s side dominated in Vienna. READ: Yaya Toure told lies and he knows it – Pep Guardiola Paris St-Germain’s Neymar, making his first start since February, doubled the lead midway through the second half. Barcelona midfielder Coutinho added the third goal shortly afterwards. Brazil, who have won…

Nigerian reggae star Ras Kimono has died according some unconfirmed sources close to the musician. He was 60 years old. An online news platform, QED reports that Kimono was said to have taken ill on Saturday on his way to the US. Friends rushed him to a hospital in Ikeja from where he was transferred to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi. He died on Sunday morning. READ: New excise duty on alcohol not targeted at local manufacturers – Finance Ministry According to several biographical sketches, Kimono served a long apprenticeship on the Nigerian music circuit, experimenting with a number of styles,…

The federal ministry of Finance has explained that the new excise duty rates are not targeted at local manufacturers, contrary to reports in the media. A statement signed by Hassan Dodo, Director Information, said the attention of the Federal Ministry of Finance has been drawn to media reports that the new excise duty rates approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on alcoholic beverages and tobacco were targeted at local manufacturers. “The Ministry wishes to unequivocally state that the new excise duty rates which came into effect from Monday, 4th June, 2018, were not targeted at the local manufacturers,” Dodo said. “The…

Prof. Moji Adeyeye, Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says no fewer than 35 containers of Tramadol have been seized at various ports in the country. Adeyeye disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday. She said nine out of the seized containers of tramadol were released to NAFDAC by the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS), and had been destroyed by her agency. “We are seriously working with the Customs on this and each time they seize any container, they usually invite us to come and see the…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday departed Nigeria’s capital Abuja on a two-day working visit to the Kingdom of Morocco. The visit, which is at the invitation of His Royal Majesty, King Mohammed VI, will see the two leaders discuss socio-economic matters affecting their countries, following prior engagements in December 2016, during the official visit of His Majesty to Nigeria. In Rabat, discussions will focus on strengthening existing agreements on the fertilizer industry, education cooperation, the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project and establishing a basic chemical platform to harness Nigeria’s vast natural gas resources and support Morocco’s diammonium phosphate industry. READ: 2019:…