Author: Chronicle Editor

The Presidency has said it welcomes the support of the Nigerian senate in ensuring that one per cent of the budget is spent on healthcare in line with the National Health Act. Representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the Nigerian Medical Association 58th Annual Delegates Meeting and Scientific Conference Town Hall Meeting, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the Presidency welcomes senate’s support of the policy. “I welcome the Senate’s endorsement and support disclosed today by the Senate President, of FG’s earlier determined policy to spend 1 per cent of our budget on healthcare in line with the National Health Act. “The…

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Thursday appealed to motorists plying routes where major construction works are ongoing to bear with the State Government and comply with traffic directive, saying concerted efforts have been put in place to deliver the projects on schedule. LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa who said this after monitoring flow of traffic along Lagos- Abeokuta and Apapa- Oshodi Expressway, said the road projects across the State were being implemented by the State Government to ultimately achieve free flow of traffic within the metropolis, and thereby boost economy and commerce. The State Government is…

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand says he is “disappointed” after being refused a professional boxing licence. The 39-year-old, who retired from football in 2015, launched his new career in September. The British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) said they would not be reviewing his application, Ferdinand said. “It is with a heavy heart that I am hanging up my gloves,” he said. In his statement, published on Facebook, Ferdinand added: “To not be given the chance to demonstrate my ability to the BBBofC through the standard assessment afforded to others is hard to take.” READ: MFM’s Sikiru…

Cable Network News (CNN) Wonder Goal of the Month of February 2017, Sikiru Olatunbosun leads the three man cast of Ifeanyi Ifeanyi of Akwa United and Chidi Nwachukwu of Go Round FC for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Match Day 18 VAT Wonder Goal Awards shortlists. For Nwachukwu’s goal, spirited repel of his side’s effort at goal saw the ball bumbling around the defensive box until a measured pull out from the right side of Kwara United defense fell kindly to Nwachukwu who hit a low volley to the far end of the post. Ifeanyi ifeanyi has since established…

Senator Dino Melaye has been remanded in police custody until 11 June by a senior magistrates court in Lokoja, Kogi state capital on Thursday. The order was made today after he was arraigned at the court. The senator who represents Kogi West was brought in a police ambulance at about 9:17 a.m. and was immediately stretchered into the court by policemen. Before his arrival, heavily armed policemen had taken positions within and outside the court premises to forestall unforeseen circumstances. The arrival of the senator in court attracted the attention of workers and others who came for transactions. READ: Ajula…

The police on Thursday arraigned two sisters, Favour Ajula and Oluchi Ajula in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, Lagos accused of assaulting police inspector by tearing his uniform and dragging his gun. Favour, a 24-year-old hairdresser; and 18-year-old Oluchi, a nurse, appeared before Magistrate F.F. George on a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault. The duo, who reside at Iju-Ishaga in Agege area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N50,000 each with two sureties each in like sum. George said the sureties should be gainfully employed and must show evidence of two years…

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has signed a $2.5 billion currency swap agreement with the People’s Bank of China to facilitate trade between the two countries and enhance foreign reserve management. The central bank said it had been in discussions with China on the deal for more than two years. Nigeria is the third African nation to agree a currency swap deal with China. “The transaction … equivalent of about $2.5 billion, is aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists and other businesses thereby reducing the difficulties encountered in the search for third currencies,” Nigeria’s…

South African telecoms firm MTN Group reported on Thursday a 9.1 percent rise in its revenue for the quarter to the end of March, sending its shares five percent higher. Revenue at Africa’s biggest telecoms firm increased due to growth in Nigeria and Ghana, where voice revenue expanded, the company said in a statement. MTN said its subscribers increased by 1.9 percent quarter-on-quarter with net additions of 4.1 million, while the group’s data revenue was up by 26.9 percent. READ: Alagbon Electricity Injection Station on fire The group’s share price rose as much as 5.74 percent and later traded up…

The Alagbon Electricity Injection Station in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, opposite Osbourne Foreshore Estate has been gutted by fire, eyewitnesses say. According to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), the fire started around 5.am this morning. A commuter told Chronicle NG that fire service operatives as well as security agencies were at the scene around 8am today. “Fire burning around electric facility off Osborne road. Fire service have moved in swiftly with PHCN officials in tow,” Tunepas tweeted. READ: 74 dead, dozens injured as ferocious dust storms hit India Now: Fire burning around electric facility off Osborne road. Fire service have…

Jurgen Klopp will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky when Liverpool play Champions League holders Real Madrid in the final on 26 May in Kiev. The 50-year old German knows that this is his chance to break the jinx, if there is any. The former Borussia Dortmund coach is yet to win a trophy since taking over from Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 despite leading Liverpool to the League Cup final in 2016, which he lost to Manchester City on penalties at Wembley. Three months down the line and Liverpool was in the final of the…