Author: Chronicle Editor

Liberia’s President George Weah on Monday urged Nigeria to get their preparation right for the World Cup and avoid wranglings over cash that have plagued previous appearances. The former Chelsea, Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan forward took office in January on a promise to turn around the impoverished West African nation. On an official visit to meet his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, he praised the Super Eagles for getting to Russia, calling them “a model” for African teams to follow. “I have played with great Nigerian players, I played against them. Now you have a new generation, the fact…

Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has showered encomiums on the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo on his 81st birthday. Sen. Mark in a goodwill message to former President Obasanjo described him as an uncommon patriot who put the interest of the nation first in all he does. Mark said that Obasanjo is the father of modern day Nigeria who has stood firm against all odds to keep the nation one. According to him, “No one is in doubt that Chief Obasanjo has demonstrated steadfastness, uncommon commitment and faith in…

At least 10 people were killed in several days of violence between herdsmen and farmers in eastern Nigeria, police said on Monday, but the cattle drivers gave a higher toll. Clashes broke out in a number of remote herding villages in the Mambilla district of Taraba state last Thursday and continued throughout the weekend. The violence is part of a wider series of clashes between largely nomadic cattle herders and farmers in central and southern Nigeria that has put pressure on the government to act. “So far we have established the deaths of 10 people in the violence between herders…

Shell and Eni and former and current executives of the two oil giants will stand trial Monday in Milan, Italy, in connection with a $1.1 billion bribery scandal linked to bids for one of Nigeria’s most lucrative oil blocks. Eni’s current CEO, Claudio Descalzi, is one of 13 individuals charged in the case involving the 2011 purchase of the OPL245 block. Other defendants include his predecessor, Paolo Scaroni, two former top Shell executives, a former Nigerian oil minister, Dan Etete and a series of middlemen and advisers. The companies themselves are also corporate defendants. The case is one of the…

Senator Shehu Sani has insinuated that he will support any effort at resolving the crisis in Kaduna state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Sani who has being at loggerhead with Governor Nasir el-Rufai represents Kaduna Central at the Senate, gave the assurance on Sunday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen after meeting with Mr Segun Oni, leader of the party’s fact-finding committee on crisis. He said that he was summoned by Oni as his faction of the party could not meet with members of the committee when they visited Kaduna. Sani maintained that he was in support of…

Manchester City moved 18 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Bernardo Silva’s goal gave them victory over Chelsea. Silva, also a scorer in the 3-0 win at Arsenal on Thursday, poked in David Silva’s cross at the back post just 35 seconds into the second half. City dominated the game but had to be patient against a defensively-minded and unadventurous visitors. Antonio Conte’s side did not have a shot on target in the match. They have now lost four of their last five Premier League games and remain five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has sealed four filling stations in Anambra for suspected diversion and selling of petrol above N145 as approved by the Federal Government. Mr Callistus Obodoechina of the Retail Outlets and marketing Unit, DPR Enugu office, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Sunday. NAN reports that the affected stations are located in Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Awkuzu, and Nkpor. Obodoechina said three of the sealed filling stations refused to revert to the approved price when directed by the agency, while one was suspected to have diverted the product to…

captain and Italy international Davide Astori has died at the age of 31. The defender died following a “sudden illness”, his club confirmed on their official Twitter feed. Fiorentina were scheduled to play Udinese in Serie A on Sunday afternoon but the game and all other Serie A fixtures were called off. Astori, capped 14 times by Italy, joined Fiorentina in 2016 from Cagliari and had made 58 appearances for them. READ: Manchester City seem unstoppable – Antonio Conte Cagliari postponed their game against Genoa on Sunday morning. “Fiorentina are profoundly shocked to have to announce the death of captain…

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed was on Saturday honoured with the award of “Icon of Community Development” in his home town, Oro, Kwara. The Award was conferred on the minister at the 60th anniversary of Oro Grammar School and the launching of N100 million appeal fund by the Old Students Association of the school. The award, according to the organisers of the event was in recognition of the numerous contributions by the minister to the school, Oro community, Kwara and the nation at large. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister renovated and…

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte appears to have conceded defeat even before taking on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Conte who have come under fire in recent weeks believes that City can reach the 100 points mark and that they seem unstoppable. City claimed the Carabao Cup by beating Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley, Pep Guardiola’s first trophy as manager. They have lost just once in the league this season and need five wins from their remaining 10 games to clinch the title. “In this moment they seem unstoppable,” said Conte. “We must have great admiration. Sometimes it is…